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Biden Diagnosed With "Aggressive Form" Of Prostate Cancer; Trump To Speak With Putin By Phone In Coming Hours; Ukraine: Russia Launched Largest Drone Attack Of The War; 2 Dead, 19 Injured after Mexican Ship Hits Brooklyn Bridge; Authorities: suspect Identified in Fertility Clinic Bombing; Seven Still on the Run after Escaping Louisiana Jail; War in Gaza; Pope Leo's Inaugural Mass; Scheffler Wins 2025 PGA Championship. Aired 1-2a ET

Aired May 19, 2025 - 01:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

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[01:00:20]

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is CNN.

BEN HUNTE, CNN ANCHOR: Hello wherever you are in the world. You are now in the CNN NEWSROOM with me, Ben Hunte in Atlanta. And it is so good to have you here.

Coming up on the show, love and support are pouring in former President Joe Biden. The latest on his cancer diagnosis. A barrage of drone strikes in Ukraine coming on the eve of a crucial call between President Trump and Vladimir Putin. And he's now a three time major winner. CNN speaks of Scottie Scheffler about his PGA Championship victory.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is CNN Breaking News.

HUNTE: Former President Joe Biden is reviewing treatment options after a diagnosis of cancer. In a statement, his personal office calls it an aggressive form of prostate cancer and says it has spread to his bones. The news is being met with well wishes from those who served alongside the 82-year-old former president and even those who opposed him. That includes President Donald Trump who took to social media to write, "Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden's medical diagnosis. We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery."

Former President Barack Obama also sent in his support saying, "Nobody has done more to find breakthrough treatments for cancer in all its forms than Joe. And I'm certain he will fight this challenge with his trademark resolve and grace. We pray for a fast and full recovery."

And this message from Biden's former vice president Kamala Harris, who said, quote, "Joe is a fighter and I know he will face this challenge with the same strength, resilience and optimism that have always defined his life and leadership. We're hopeful for a full and speedy recovery."

CNN's Arlette Saenz has more now from Washington.

ARLETTE SAENZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The 82 year old Biden was at his home in Wilmington, Delaware when this news was made public and his family is now working to determine what treatment options will look like going forward. The statement from his office said, quote, "Last week, President Joe Biden was seen for new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms. On Friday, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer characterized by a Gleason score of nine Grade Group five with metastasis to the bone. While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone sensitive, which allows for effective management."

Biden and his family are reviewing treatment options with physicians going forward. We're still trying to learn where exactly President Biden might be treated at after receiving this diagnosis.

But this all comes as questions about Biden's physical and mental capacity while he was in office have returned to the public spotlight. Our colleague Jake Tapper and Axios reporter Alex Thompson are about to roll out a new book which details some signs of decline in the former president while he was serving as commander in chief. But setting that aside for the Biden family, this is just the latest in a long history of them dealing with some tragedy and some personal setbacks. Biden himself lost his daughter and wife in a car accident when he had just been elected to the U.S. Senate. And then in 2015, his son, Beau Biden passed away from brain cancer.

In fact, Biden's diagnosis comes about two weeks before they were about to mark the 10th anniversary of Beau Biden's passing. And Biden as president also did a lot of work on what he called the Cancer Moonshot, trying to boost funding for cancer research as he had really zeroed in on that as a key issue in his presidency. But right now for the Biden family, this is something a very difficult moment that they are going through and for many aides as well. I've heard from many who are simply devastated by this news of this cancer diagnosis for the former president. But now we will be waiting to hear what the next steps will look like as his family is evaluating the treatment options at this time.

Arlette Saenz, CNN, Washington.

HUNTE: There's been an outpouring of bipartisan support on Capitol Hill following Biden's cancer diagnosis. U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson called it sad news, saying his family will be joining the countless others who are praying for the former president. Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene also offering prayers and saying, quote, "Cancer is truly awful. My dad passed away in 2021 with cancer." And Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren wrote on social media, quote, "Joe Biden has worked for years to advance the cause of beating cancer, and now we have his back in this fight."

[01:05:14]

CNN Senior Political Commentator Van Jones spoke with CNN's Jessica Dean earlier about former President Biden and who he is as a person.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VAN JONES, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Everybody's got their own personal stories about Joe Biden being kind to them. You know, he is, you know, the empathizer in chief. You know, he kind of was one of the people that picked me out when I was just a young activist in Oakland, California, working on green jobs locally, encouraged me, championed what I was doing, wound up in some ways making it possible for me to be a part of the Obama administration. When I was in the Obama administration, I got to work with -- got a chance to work with him on the middle class task force. And I just saw up close how this guy is just all heart.

I remember the day after -- or the day of Teddy Kennedy's funeral and, you know, people were just really devastated for political reasons because it meant our majority had been -- had been knocked out, our supermajority had been knocked out. But also people just loved Ted Kennedy. And this guy who had lost his own friend, Ted Kennedy was a good friend of his, just basically was holding the whole White House together. He's just -- he just has this unbelievable ability to empathize and to step up in moments of personal pain. And so I think what you're see, you know, from Donald Trump all the way down, all the way across, people are putting politics aside, people are putting all these political agendas and all that stuff to one side today just to say, look, hang in there, you know, and, you know, prayers are going up.

People are making phone calls, text messages are going all over the place. People are just really shocked and hoping for a good outcome here. But this is a guy who -- and you can see in the reaction even from Donald Trump, nobody wants to take a shot at him today with regard to this. People are pulling for him. They're praying for him as he has pulled for and prayed for so many others.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNTE: Let's dig deeper with CNN medical analyst Dr. Jonathan Reiner. Thank you so much for being with me, Jonathan. Let's get straight into this.

Doctors say former President Biden's prostate cancer is aggressive. How common is prostate cancer and what does his cancer being aggressive actually mean in terms pain and treatment?

DR. JONATHAN REINER, CNN MEDICAL ANALYST: It's very common, Ben. In the United States, every year there are about 300,000 new cases, 33,000 deaths. It's actually the second most common cancer cause of death in men. And it's more frequently diagnosed in men over the age of 65. And it's a very common problem that can be experienced by a male patient, you know, throughout their lifetime.

HUNTE: Just a few hours before this news came out, there were still headlines about former President Biden's physical decline and his cognitive issues. As an 82-year-old patient, how does his age impact his treatment decisions and outcomes? REINER: Well, his treatment decision -- decisions will be impacted mostly now by the fact that we've learned that the cancer has spread to his bone. So he has metastatic prostate cancer. And what that means is that the cancer is not curable as it would be for -- in many instances when it is found contained to the prostate and the patient has a variety of options to cure it, including prostatectomy, removing the prostate. But once it's metastasized past the prostate, the treatment focuses on containing the cancer, preventing further spread. His age of 82 is an issue in that any kind of cancer treatment, even a relatively well tolerated cancer treatment such as potentially hormonal therapy.

However, we've yet to hear how the president will be treated. Any form of cancer therapy can be impacted by what we call comorbidities, coexisting chronic medical conditions that are more frequent the older we get. And the more intensive the therapy that the patient has to undergo, the more important these underlying, you know, chronic medical conditions are. So, again, yes, any treatment is complicated by advanced age. And as you said, the former president is now 82.

HUNTE: Do you think this diagnosis could shift how the public views older politicians and their ability to lead?

[01:10:07]

REINER: You know, it's a -- that's a very complicated question. And I don't think any age should disqualify any politician from leading. But I do believe in complete transparency about their health. You know, in the United States, we have constitutionally very well defined process for replacing a president should they tragically die in office or replacing a president, should they become incapacitated. But ultimately, when the public elects a leader, I think the public has the right, you know, to know whether they are physically up to the job and what is the likelihood that they will, you know, survive as an effective leader, you know, throughout the term of office.

So I think that's most important. And I think the question going forward, not just from this current announcement, but from the controversy, you know, surrounding the health of the president leading up to the last election, is whether there should be a panel empowered by Congress that every year can review the health of the president. Bipartisan panel stood up to basically independently review the health of the president. You know, our pilots have annual medical exams and have to be reviewed, you know, by the -- by the FAA. The President's Secret Service agents have to undergo an annual physical exam.

And I think, you know, particularly for much older politicians, I think it's reasonable to have an independent assessment of their health. And that's something that I think we should talk about going forward.

HUNTE: OK. Well, as things change over the next few weeks and months, I'm sure be speaking again. But for now, Dr. Jonathan Reiner, thank you so much for being here. See you soon.

REINER: Thank you, Ben. HUNTE: Still to come, days after negotiations with Ukraine on the war, Russia launched its largest drone attack yet. What that could mean for the future of peace talks ahead. Plus, days after intensifying airstrikes in Gaza, Israeli forces are beginning an extensive ground operation in several parts of the enclave. Details of those operations are next.

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HUNTE: Welcome back. U.S. President Donald Trump is set to speak to Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone in the coming hours. The German Chancellor says Mr. Trump is expected to speak of the leaders of Germany, Britain, France and Poland before that call. The White House is very optimistic as to the outcome of the president's call with Putin.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STEVE WITKOFF, U.S. SPECIAL ENVOY: I believe that the president is going to have a successful call with Vladimir Putin. They know each other. The president is determined to get something done here. And hopefully if he can't do it, then nobody can. So I leave it to the two leaders to have that call.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNTE: The call will take place a day after Russia launched its largest known drone attack on Ukraine since its full scale invasion in 2022. CNN Chief International Security Correspondent Nick Paton Walsh has more.

NICK PATON WALSH, CNN INTERNATIONAL SECURITY EDITOR: That record 273 attack drones fired by Russia. Really a reminder of the intensity of the barrage that many Ukrainians face every night. One hundred twenty- eight of these Ukrainian Air force says were essentially decoys designed to try and distract air defenses. Confused radars, 88 they say in fact were shot down but that hasn't stopped to be reported dead in that 24 hour period. Over 24 injured, in fact a 28-year-old woman on the outskirts of Kyiv among the victims as long as a six year old injured as well.

That too coupled now with a warning from Ukraine's defense intelligence of a potential for a missile attack using maybe an ICBM type missile. We saw that last in November, a significant psychological impact even though the warheads used were in fact significantly downgraded. And all of this raising the stakes ahead of the important phone call Monday 10am between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The timetable for this laid out by the White House in a Truth Social post by President Trump himself. He says he'll then talk to Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and then to NATO leaders.

He talked about how he'd like to see a ceasefire happen, but also too he said he talked to Putin about the bloodbath here in Ukraine and ending it, but also trade as well. Holding out the possibility that this phone call may involve parts of the U.S.-Russia alliance being potentially back into some kind of detente but also urgent measures to stop the war in Ukraine. The issue at this point though is that Moscow seems pretty much impenetrable to pressure from Europe, Ukraine and indeed the United States in terms of agreeing to the unconditional ceasefire that Europe and the U.S. for some time have indeed demanded. The meeting in Istanbul, the first at a very low level between Russian officials and Ukraine whose Defense Minister attended as well, a sign perhaps amongst many observers that this is a bid by Russia to prolong the process. Perhaps this phone call between Trump and Putin will set a date for them to meet or will it throw down more conditions for that?

[01:20:01]

We don't know. But it was a brief moment. Then it seemed the White House trying to seize a gain on the scheduling of this particular peace process. But two laying down massive stakes for that single phone call.

Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, Kyiv, Ukraine.

HUNTE: Ukraine's president sat down with the U.S. Vice president and secretary of state in Italy on Sunday. Vladimir Zelenskyy is calling at a, quote, "good meeting." He says he reiterated his country's willingness to engage in genuine diplomacy with Russia and called again for unconditional ceasefire as soon as possible. Vice President J.D. Vance, his office says the leaders discussed their shared goal of ending the war. It was their first meeting since February when Vance berated Zelenskyy at the White House for not showing enough gratitude for American support.

Let's dig deeper with Jill Dougherty, a junk professor at Georgetown University and CNN's former Moscow Bureau chief. She's also the author of "My Russia, What I Saw Inside the Kremlin." And she's joining me now from Tallin, Estonia.

Thanks for being with me again, Jill. How are you doing?

JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Everything's good at least here in Tallin.

HUNTE: Yes. Well, let's get into this. How realistic are the prospects of a ceasefire coming from President Trump's cause of Putin and Zelenskyy?

DOUGHERTY: Well, I think one of the problems that you do have is, as Nick just said, they've set this up with enormous stakes. But I think, you know, if you look at what Vladimir Putin is doing, he is continuing to insist on what he insisted on at the very beginning, right before the full scale invasion more than three years ago. He hasn't -- he's not saying that he wants a ceasefire, which is what President Trump wants. And he says, President Putin says, he wants like a solution, the end, the root causes of all of this, as he would argue, settled. And that's the problem because the root causes and what he wants is actually reducing the sovereignty of Ukraine at the very best. I mean, he would like to take it over.

But what he is pushing for with this phrase, you know, the root causes, he's saying no more NATO for Ukraine. And not only that, no more NATO in Eastern Europe. And these are the stakes that we're talking about.

So, you know, Ben, Vladimir Putin is a master manipulator. That was part of his role when he was a KGB agent. And I think in this conversation he will try to sound realistic, objective, even legalistic with President Trump to convince him of his viewpoint before he talks to Zelenskyy.

HUNTE: All right. Well, we've just seen massive drone attacks on Ukraine, the largest of the war so far. What should we make of this? Is Putin redoubling the fight or could he be trying to get his last licks in before a potential deal?

DOUGHERTY: Well, I think it's more pressure, you know, when you do these things and many of them are hitting civilians, they are designed to undermine faith among the Ukrainians that they can ever end this, that they can get out of it. This report that's been bandied about some type of, you know, ballistic missile, I should say intercontinental type ballistic missile is meant to frighten people and that's a negotiating tactic right before this extremely important conversation with President Trump.

HUNTE: Last week, Putin rejected a 30-day ceasefire and proposed talks of Ukraine instead. But he didn't show up for those talks. Now he'll be speaking with President Trump. But if Putin is stalling for time here, how long do you think he can continue to do that?

DOUGHERTY: Well, I think he will do it as long as he can. As long as he can do it militarily and economically. I think he feels at this point that he has an opportunity to influence Donald Trump. And of course, Trump has a lot of cards that he can play in this. So the idea, I think, you know, if you look long term, let's say a year or two, the economy, the Russian economy, excuse me, has real difficulties, but he can hold on.

He can hold on for quite a while and put everything he has into it right now based on his hope that he can get what he wants. So it really is a dramatic moment. And I think the White House has set this up in an extremely dramatic, but in a sense dangerous moment. I mean, you know, what can they come out with in any of these discussions if Putin continues to stick with what he wants and showing no sign that he's going to give anything in terms of what Ukraine wants.

[01:25:14]

HUNTE: President Trump has wavered in his involvement, his interest, and his patience in trying to negotiate an end to this war. Is his participation crucial here? He has the ability to speak to both presidents, but does he have the influence to bring any of them to any kind of an agreement?

DOUGHERTY: You know, he -- President Trump set this up, really, this timeframe. I mean, everybody eventually wants the war to end, but President Trump came in, if you back up here, he's the one who said, I want to get a deal as soon as possible. I can get a deal in 24 hours, et cetera. So he set the clock ticking. Nobody else was doing it in that -- in that sense.

The speed and the urgency. Now, can he do it, you know, is the question. Because it's not just saying, let's bring these two men together or let's -- you know, I will talk to Putin and then I'll talk to Zelenskyy. It's these underlying issues that he may not pay a lot of attention to, realistically. He believes in kind of big leaders getting together and making big decisions.

But when you get to Putin and Zelenskyy, they look at the details. They look at territorial concessions. They look at how many troops could Ukraine have after this war is over. They look at the sovereignty of Ukraine. All of these issues, even the fate of Zelenskyy politically.

So I think that's the problem. It looks good, you know, in kind of a dramatic T.V. sense, but when you get down to the root causes, but the actual issues, it gets far more complex.

HUNTE: OK, well, we will see what happens next. Jill Dougherty, for now, thank you so much for joining us and see you again soon.

DOUGHERTY: Thank you, Ben.

HUNTE: Still to come, former U.S. President Joe Biden, diagnosed with prostate cancer. Why one historian says it's evidence of the cruelty of fate, when we return. And police have identified a man they believe was responsible for the bombing of a fertility clinic in California. We'll have all of the details after a quick break.

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[01:32:40]

BEN HUNTE, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back.

More now on our top story this hour.

Former U.S. President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with what his office calls an aggressive form of prostate cancer. While a serious concern, the type of cancer can be managed with specific treatments. The Biden family is currently reviewing those options.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton shared her well wishes online, saying she was quote, "thinking of the Bidens and wished the former president a speedy and full recovery".

CNN presidential historian Tim Naftali notes how the diagnosis is one of many personal challenges Biden has faced over the years.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TIM NAFTALI, CNN PRESIDENTIAL HISTORIAN: There's a subtext of the cruelty of fate in Joe Biden's long, political career. On -- just in the aftermath of a -- of a surprising long-shot victory to the Senate as the youngest man to join the Senate, Joe Biden loses his daughter and his wife in a terrible car crash.

Months after a humiliating withdrawal from the 1988 presidential campaign, Joe Biden suffered two brain aneurysms and one burst. He might well have died. He might well have had permanent brain damage. Fortunately neither occurred, of course.

And now, as we revisit his conviction last year that only he could beat Donald Trump, as we revisit that decision and think about it in the context of the chaos that we've watched in the last 100 plus days, for him to have this diagnosis again is the cruelty of fate.

Joe Biden, first of all, deserves a long -- as long a post-presidency as possible, but he also deserves an opportunity to explain himself. I'm sure he wants to write a book. So one hopes that he recovers, that he can recover from this.

It is, as I said, a reminder of the cruelty of a -- of a in some ways charmed life, but also one touched by tragedy and cruelty. The timing of this diagnosis is just terrible for the family.

[01:34:49]

NAFTALI: But it is also a reminder of one of the challenges for anyone of a certain age, and particularly someone who still lives in the klieg lights of public recognition.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNTE: Authorities in New York are working to move a Mexican navy training ship so it can be repaired, while they try to figure out what caused it to crash into the Brooklyn Bridge late on Saturday. Early evidence suggests there was a mechanical issue with the ships rudder.

The captain told investigators they lost power and he was unable to steer.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ZACH ISCOL, COMMISSIONER, NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: Something happened during that period of time where the ship reportedly lost power, possibly lost steerage, and that's when it ended up going in the wrong direction towards the bridge.

But that's very preliminary at this point, and there still needs to be an investigation that will take place.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNTE: At least two people were killed after falling from one of the ship's masts, which hit the underside of the bridge and broke apart. 19 others on board were injured.

CNN's Gloria Pazmino has the latest. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GLORIA PAZMINO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We have seen the video of this ship as it was leaving Pier 17, heading out of the harbor here in New York City, headed towards Iceland.

This is a Mexican navy ship that had been on a goodwill tour all around the world in the last several months, and it had spent a few days here in New York city as part of its mission.

That mission ending in tragedy. Two people lost their lives. And now we are hoping to learn more about exactly what happened, what led to the apparent power failure that a captain told officials about.

He said that the power failure resulted in an issue with the rudder of the ship, making it impossible for him to steer that ship. And that is the reason why we see the ship sailing towards one of the pillars of the bridge, striking the underbelly of the Brooklyn Bridge, and we see that mast breaking apart.

The ship's mast has been severely damaged. You can see that there is ripped sails all around some of the metal, and the wood is mangled together. But we have also been watching as the crew has been in and out of the ship throughout the day as this investigation continues.

Members from the National Transportation Safety Board are also on the scene. They are expected to brief the media on Monday as the investigation continues to develop.

The main questions here. What led to the power failure and if that was the sole reason behind this incident? As I said, two people tragically lost their lives. Many of those crew members are expected to return home to Mexico.

Gloria Pazmino, CNN -- New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HUNTE: Police in California have now identified the suspect in the bombing outside a fertility clinic in Palm Springs, California. Authorities say 25-year-old Guy Bartkus is the suspected bomber, and they believe he died in the blast.

Our Stephanie Elam has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Officials believe that the only life that was lost in the Palm Springs bombing was that of the man that they believe was the perpetrator, 25-year-old Guy Bartkus from Twentynine Palms, which is a community about an hour away from here in Palm Springs.

Officials say they were able to save all of the sensitive materials and the embryos that were there inside the clinic. And we also learned that four people who were injured have all been treated and released. Officials also saying that they do believe that this town is safe, and

that he was the lone threat here. But they continue to do investigation into more of this man's background. But they are asking for the public's help as well.

They know where he was at 6:00 in the morning on Saturday. They want to know if anyone in the community saw this car that he was driving, even giving out his license plate to find out what he was doing leading up to this event that happened at about 11:00 in the morning on Saturday.

But they say that they are aware of a possible manifesto and rantings that could have been made online. They believe that this perpetrator was also trying to livestream, but that seemed to have failed.

Also unclear whether or not the perpetrator was inside the vehicle or outside when the bomb detonated, but they did say they will have to use forensic to completely identify that this 25-year-old man is who they think he is. But still, they have given us this name, and they do believe that that is the right person.

Out here, they continue to work on. Going through the debris field here. They said it was very expansive. So much so, they say it doesn't really compare to anything else.

Take a listen to the FBI acting director from Los Angeles talk about that.

AKIL DAVIS, FBI ASST. DIR. IN CHARGE, LOS ANGELES: Due to the speed and professionalism of the Palm Springs fire department station one, the Palm Springs police department, as well as the FBI bomb technicians, we were able to save all of the embryos at this facility.

[01:39:54]

DAVIS: Good guys, one; bad guys, zero. They understood the sensitivity and the precious nature of what was inside, and they took extreme care to ensure that there was no loss of any sensitive material.

ELAM: I talked to a resident who lives just around the corner, and he walks down the street three times a week for his own cancer treatment, and he says that the people where he lives, his home, everyone is still very much shaken because something like this just doesn't happen here in Palm Springs.

Stephanie Elam, CNN -- Palm Springs, California.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HUNTE: Officials in Louisiana are asking for the public's help to recapture seven inmates still on the run after escaping from jail in New Orleans. Ten inmates broke out on Friday, and only three have been found so far.

Authorities believe jail employees may have helped the men escape, and that friends and family have been helping them while on the run. Police warned the inmates may have left the state.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

COL. ROBERT HODGES, LOUISIANA STATE POLICE SUPERINTENDENT: These fugitives may not just be in New Orleans. They possibly moved out to other parishes and to other states. And the combination of local, state and federal law enforcement working collectively to ensure the capture and safety of everyone is our top priority.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNTE: Officials said defective locks allowed the inmates to leave their cells. Then they breached the wall behind the toilet, leaving behind a message mocking their escape as, quote "too easy".

A massive crowd gathered for Pope Leo's inaugural mass. Details of the new pontiff's message to the Catholic faithful around the world. That's coming up next.

[01:41:34]

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HUNTE: You're looking at devastating video from Argentina. At least one person is dead and two more remain missing after heavy rains and flooding inundated Argentina's Buenos Aires province this weekend.

The severe weather conditions prompted nearly 3,000 people across dozens of municipalities to evacuate. Some cities reported rainfall up to 250 millimeters or ten inches on Friday.

Mixed messages coming from Hamas' upper ranks. On Sunday, a senior Hamas leader told CNN the militant group had agreed to release up to nine Israeli hostages in exchange for a 60-day ceasefire and the release of 300 Palestinian prisoners. But just hours later, another senior leader denied that proposal.

Israel says it will allow, quote, "a basic amount of food to enter Gaza", as a U.N.-backed report warns the enclave remains at critical risk of famine amid Israel's 11-week aid blockade.

And Israel is pushing ahead with its new offensive Gideon's Chariot in the enclave. Palestinian health officials say more than 100 people were killed overnight on Sunday amid an extensive ground and air operation across Gaza.

In Khan Younis, local authorities say an IDF airstrike hit a tent camp for displaced families.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The children can't find food. I swear to God, we grind the pasta and lentils. We wake up not knowing how to provide our daily sustenance. In the end, we find rockets falling on us from above. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We came to the al-Mawasi. They followed us. Our

house was destroyed. All our homes were gone. Nothing is left for us. May God have mercy on us.

We are fed up. We need a solution, people. Shame on you. We are fed up. We cannot live any longer. My heart can't handle any more.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNTE: The deadly overnight strikes came just hours after Hamas and Israel resumed indirect talks in Qatar. Hamas described the strike as a new brutal crime in a statement on Sunday.

Claps, cheers and chants of "viva il papa". That was the scene at Pope Leo XIV inaugural mass at Saint Peter's Square in Vatican City on Sunday. A massive crowd had gathered with world leaders and royals, among them.

CNN's Christopher Lamb has all the details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTOPOHER LAMB, CNN VATICAN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it was an historic Sunday here in Saint Peter's for the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope.

Pope Leo began the day by getting on the Popemobile for the first time, greeting the crowds, waving at them, giving them the thumbs up. It was the first time that we'd seen the Pope on that iconic papal vehicle.

Of course afterwards, he then began the service. It was a solemn event, but also one that was punctuated by applause. There was a celebratory atmosphere.

Now Pope Leo received the symbols of office of the papacy. During the service, he received the Fisherman's Ring, which of course comes after the fact that the first pope, Saint Peter, who Catholics hold as the first pope, was a fisherman.

He also received the pallium, which is a symbol of office and service that Pope Leo will carry out.

[01:49:44]

LAMB: Now, in the homily that Pope Leo gave, he emphasized the importance of being a servant. He said he didn't feel that he warranted the election that he received in the conclave, and this is what he had to say.

POPE LEO XIV, PONTIFF, ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH (through translator): I was chosen without any merit of my own. And now, with fear and trembling, I come to you as a brother who desires to be the servant of your faith and your joy.

Walking with you on the path of God's love. For he wants us all to be united in one family.

LAMB: Pope Leo in his homily, also emphasizing the importance of unity in the church. Of course, there are a number of divisions within the Catholic Church that he seems keen to seek to heal.

He also called for a church that is missionary, that isn't looking in on itself. Of course, Pope Leo was a missionary in Peru for a number of years.

The Pope also received different groups or different representatives from parts of the church, including a married couple, young people, some cardinals in what was the rite of obedience. This, reflecting the desire that Pope Leo has for a church that isn't just the hierarchy leading, but also it is the hierarchy with the people together. That's going to be, I think, an important part of his ministry.

The service was very solemn, very beautiful. There was chanting, there was singing. At the end he led the Regina Caeli prayer and in that prayer he talked about the suffering of people in Gaza and Ukraine and Myanmar. He had a round of applause when he mentioned Gaza.

And then afterwards he went back into Saint Peter's Basilica to greet the delegations who were here for this inauguration mass on Sunday.

Amongst those who he met -- the vice president of the United States J.D. Vance, his wife the second lady Usha Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Countries from all corners of the globe have sent delegations for this inauguration. Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada amongst them.

And the Pope before the mass, met with the president of Peru. Of course, Pope Leo, serving in Peru for many years before he came to Rome.

This was really an extraordinary day in Saint Peter's as Pope Leo now formally begins his ministry as pope.

Christopher Lamb, CNN -- Rome.

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HUNTE: Scottie Scheffler has claimed his very first PGA championship.

Coming up, CNN catches up with the world's number one ranked golfer following his third major win.

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HUNTE: The world's number one golfer, Scottie Scheffler, has won his first PGA championship. He finished the tournament at 11 under par on Sunday, a commanding five stroke victory over the second-place finishers. Its Scheffler's third career major title after winning the masters in 2022 and 2024.

CNN's Patrick Snell was in Charlotte, North Carolina for Sunday's final round and caught up with Scheffler. [01:54:51]

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PATRICK SNELL, CNN WORLD SPORT: Scottie, many congratulations, a remarkable achievement. I will say though, at times on the front nine you looked a bit like a boxer on the ropes. How did you manage to regroup, get yourself back together whilst fighting all that emotion as well en route to your third major title?

SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER, 2025 PGA CHAMPION: Yes, I think that's a good description. Yes, I felt like I was on the ropes a little bit. This golf course will keep you on your toes.

And I really -- it was weird because by the time like seven, eight, nine, I felt like I hit really good tee shots. And I looked up and it was just, like 30 yards left where I was looking, which was a bit unusual.

But making the turn, I kind of squared my shoulders up and I hit a really good tee ball on ten, really good tee ball on 11, and after that I really did a good job of executing. Hit a lot of fairways, a lot of greens. And you know, played a really good nine holes when I -- when I really needed to.

SNELL: It's been a meteoric journey for you over the last three years. Talking big picture now, your first PGA Tour title. The wonderful moment as well, you've become a father. And now your third career major.

How do you reflect on that journey. And how would you describe what it's actually been like for you? Give us a sense on that.

SCHEFFLER: Yes, that's a great question. I mean, it's really hard to put into words. You know, Mary and I were talking this morning. We still -- still feel like we're in high school. It felt like we were in high school yesterday. Like we just. We just started dating, and all of a sudden, you know, life out here is pretty cool right now. This is a lot of fun.

But at the end of the day, life at home for us is pretty much the same. You know, we have a good little life and we have great friends at home. And you know, I'm looking forward to getting home and celebrating with them.

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HUNTE: The NBA's final four is set. The Oklahoma City Thunder cruised into the Western Conference Finals on Sunday, crushing the Denver Nuggets by 32 points in game seven of what was a closely fought playoff series.

Shai Gilgeous Alexander led the way with 35 points, with Alex Caruso suffocating Denver superstar Nikola Jokic.

The Thunder will play the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals. The winner will go on to face either the New York Knicks or Indiana Pacers for the NBA title.

That's all I've got for you. Thanks for joining me and the team. I'm Ben Hunte in Atlanta. It's been real. What a weekend.

NEWSROOM with the fabulous Rosemary Church is next.

And I will see you next weekend, same time. See you in a bit.

[01:57:01]

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