"TMI Show Ep 121: “Pope Francis Dead + Ukraine Cease-Fire”

On "The TMI Show," hosts Ted Rall and Manila Chan mourn the death of Pope Francis, a profound loss that has reverberated globally, intensifying calls for peace in conflict zones like Ukraine. The pontiff, known for his humility and advocacy for the marginalized, leaves a legacy of interfaith dialogue and environmental stewardship through Laudato Si’. His passing, at age 88, has prompted tributes from world leaders, with millions reflecting on his message of compassion.

Francis’ final days were marked by appeals for non-violence, notably in Ukraine, where he urged reconciliation. His absence now challenges global leaders to honor his vision for a more just world, as vigils and memorial masses unfold from St. Peter’s Square to Buenos Aires.

Shifting to Ukraine, Rall and Chan dissect the fragile Russia-Ukraine cease-fire talks, clouded by ongoing violence. The Kremlin’s Easter truce, announced for April 19-20, was undermined by air raid alerts, with Zelenskyy reporting thousands of violations. A U.S.-brokered partial cease-fire on energy infrastructure, agreed in March, falters as both sides trade accusations. Trump’s minerals deal with Kyiv fuels Moscow’s ire, while Russian drone strikes in Kyiv and a Palm Sunday bombardment in Donetsk crush peace hopes. With Russian offensives surging in Kursk and Zelenskyy seeking European aid amid Trump’s tariff threats, the hosts probe Putin’s motives behind pausing energy strikes and whether Trump’s April 20 deadline is a bluff. Rall and Chan’s sharp analysis unravels this diplomatic chess game, where civilian lives hang in the balance. Stream The TMI Show 24/7 for unfiltered truth—don’t miss this critical episode!