60 Minutes Reports on “Pope Leo’s Church”, “Risk on the Road” & “What Happened to the Great White Sharks?” on April 12 2026

CBS’s 60 Minutes returns Sunday, April 12, 2026, with a timely and wide-ranging broadcast airing from 7:00 to 8:00 PM ET/PT following coverage of the Masters. The program features three compelling reports that span global religion, public safety concerns on American highways, and a scientific mystery unfolding off the coast of South Africa. With veteran correspondents Norah O’Donnell, Bill Whitaker, and Anderson Cooper leading the stories, the episode explores issues that intersect with politics, law, and the natural world.

• Pope Leo’s Church: 60 Minutes Explores a New American Papacy and Its Global Impact
• Risk on the Road: 60 Minutes Investigates the Hidden Dangers of Chameleon Carriers
• What Happened to the Great White Sharks?: 60 Minutes Explores a Coastal Mystery and a Battle Within Science

Pope Leo’s Church

Nearly one year after the historic election of Pope Leo XIV, 60 Minutes examines how the Chicago-born pontiff is shaping the direction of the Catholic Church during a period of global tension. In a rare joint interview, Norah O’Donnell sits down with three prominent American cardinals: Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago, Cardinal Robert McElroy of Washington, D.C., and Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark. Together, they offer insight into the evolving priorities of Pope Leo’s leadership and how his voice is being positioned on the world stage.

The segment highlights the church’s growing role as a moral counterweight on key issues, including opposition to the war with Iran and criticism of immigration crackdowns in the United States. These perspectives reflect a continuation of themes emphasized by Pope Francis, while also signaling how Pope Leo is carving out his own approach. The discussion provides a closer look at how religious leadership can influence political and humanitarian debates in a divided global climate.

O’Donnell also travels to Italy to visit Castel Gandolfo, the historic papal summer retreat. The property, which dates back more than 400 years, is being opened to the public under Pope Leo’s direction. The initiative aims to create opportunities for migrants and underserved communities, offering a tangible example of the church’s outreach efforts. Through interviews and on-location reporting, the segment paints a broader picture of a papacy focused on accessibility and social responsibility.

Risk on the Road

Bill Whitaker leads an investigation into a growing threat on American highways involving so-called “chameleon carriers.” These commercial trucking operations are known for repeatedly evading federal safety regulations by shutting down and reemerging under new identities. The practice allows companies with poor safety records to continue operating, often with serious consequences.

The report centers on a network known as Super Ego, which is currently under federal investigation and has been named in a class action lawsuit. Whitaker explores how this system operates, including the use of leasing arrangements and complex corporate structures that make accountability difficult. The segment raises questions about regulatory gaps and the challenges faced by authorities trying to monitor and enforce safety standards in the trucking industry.

Data cited in the investigation suggests that these carriers are significantly more likely to be involved in severe crashes compared to compliant operators. The segment includes interviews with experts, victims, and officials, offering a detailed look at how these operations impact road safety. It also examines the broader implications for the transportation industry and the steps being considered to address the issue.

What Happened to the Great White Sharks?

Anderson Cooper reports from South Africa on a mystery that has puzzled scientists and conservationists for years. Once a global hotspot for observing great white sharks, the waters around Cape Town have seen a dramatic decline in sightings. The shift began about a decade ago, when great white sharks started washing ashore with a disturbing pattern: their livers had been removed.

The segment investigates competing theories about what is responsible for these incidents. Some researchers point to orcas as the likely predators, citing evidence of coordinated hunting behavior. Others question that conclusion, suggesting alternative explanations and highlighting gaps in the available data. The disagreement has sparked a wider debate within the scientific community about marine ecosystems and predator dynamics.

Cooper’s report captures the tension between different groups of experts, as well as the broader environmental impact of the sharks’ disappearance. The decline of a top predator can have ripple effects throughout the ecosystem, making the mystery more than just a scientific curiosity. Through field reporting and interviews, the segment explores both the known facts and the unanswered questions surrounding one of the ocean’s most iconic species.

With its mix of global perspective, investigative reporting, and scientific inquiry, this edition of 60 Minutes delivers a diverse lineup of stories that reflect the program’s enduring commitment to in-depth journalism.