POPE FRANCIS (Wikipedia).

When is a “secret mission” not really secret?  Maybe when you announce it to the news media.

According to the New York Times, Pope Francis on Sunday told reporters he was on a “not yet public” mission to persuade Russia to return children taken from Ukraine and return them to their families and native land.

The remarks came as the pontiff was finishing a three-day trip to Budapest, Hungary. He met with the Hungarian prime minister and a representative of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Although a member of NATO, Hungary has not imposed any sanctions on Russia and sent any help to Ukraine.

Manhunt for shooter slows down

FRANCISCO OROPEZA

The manhunt for the suspected killer of five people in a small Texas town continues to have no success is tracking the gunman down.

According to the Associated Press, authorities have “zero leads” in the search for 38-year-old Francisco Oropeza, suspected of shooting five members of family for complaining of the noise caused by him firing his rifle in his backyard.

A reward of $80,000 has been offered for his capture and over 200 police and other law enforcement officers are combing the area. The search is complicated by the proximity of dense woods near the site of the shootings.

Also in the news … Tornadoes wreaked damage in coastal Florida and Virginia on Sunday. knocking down trees, damaging homes and flipping over automobiles.

Ohtani’s HR sparks Angels;  Dodgers in 1st place tie

Shohei Ohtani blasted a huge home run so high it nearly hit the roof of the American Family Field in Milwaukee on Sunday as the Los Angeles Angels stopped a two-game skid with a 3-0 win over the Brewers.

The win gave the Halos a 15-14 record and kept them in third place in the American League West. Starting pitcher Jose Suarez pitched five innings, giving up just two hits while striking out six batters and walking three.

The Angels are in St. Louis on Tuesday to start a three-game series.

Back in Los Angeles, the Dodgers defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 6-3 and moved into a first-place tie with the Arizona Diamondbacks (both 16-13). It was the Blue Crew’s third straight win and a sweep of the Redbirds.

Noah Syndergaard (1-3), the former Angel, got his first win of the season, working 5.1 innings. He yielded eight hits and three earned runs. He had no strikeouts or walks.

The Dodgers will host the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday to begin a three-game series that will close out their homestand. 

Weather: We’re back in the 60s

No love beads or Beatles, but lots of clouds and some rain. The outlook for the West Orange County area starts Monday with a high of 65 and a low of 54 with mostly cloudy skies. Tuesday will be similar 64 (51) with morning clouds and afternoon sun. Wednesday is forecast to be mostly cloudy with a 24 percent chance of rain and a high of 63 (53). We can expect morning showers on Thursday with a high of 63 (52).