The Vatican appeals tribunal declared a mistrial Tuesday in the Holy See’s big “trial of the century,” a stunning blow to both Pope Francis’ legacy and Vatican prosecutors who had put a cardinal and several other people on trial over alleged financial…
Efforts to combat global poverty unchanged due to US withdrawal
Efforts to combat global poverty remain unchanged for the second consecutive year in part because of severe cutbacks in American international aid, according to the director of the newly released “2025 Fordham Pope Francis Poverty Report.” “Something has shifted, and…
Vatican says leaked documents were only part of information Pope Francis used to restrict Latin Mass
Leaked documents seemingly undermining Pope Francis’ stated reason for restricting the old Latin Mass provided an incomplete reconstruction of the evidence that informed his 2021 decision to crack down on the spread of the ancient liturgy, the Vatican said Thursday.
The kingdom within: Reclaiming the sacred in an age of contradiction
“The kingdom of God is inside you, and all around you, not in mansions of wood and stone. Split a piece of wood, and I am there; lift a stone, and you will find me.” — Gospel of Thomas, Saying…
Integrity matters
On the morning of April 21, Pope Francis died. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo — the chamberlain or acting head of the Vatican in the interim period between the death or resignation of one pope and the inauguration of…
The president stands at the gate of heaven and St. Peter says …
Many Americans watched the funeral coverage of Pope Francis with chagrin, noting the bright blue suit of the president of these United States, which stood out sharply from the prescribed black clothing of other dignitaries who had come to mourn…
Why ‘The Calling of Saint Matthew’ by Caravaggio was Pope Francis’ favorite painting − an art historian explains
Pope Francis left a lasting legacy, not least his appreciation for art. In his 2025 biography, “Hope,” Francis spoke of his admiration for the Baroque painter Caravaggio. He recalled that during his travels to Rome as a cardinal, he prayed in front…
A warning: Not just two Americas, two American religions
John Edwards ran for president years ago talking of the “two Americas,” that of the rich and the poor. Now, through the machinations of our current president and his MAGA-oriented church, we are becoming a nation of two religions. One…
‘Popemobile’ Turns Into Health Clinic For Gaza’s Children, As Pope Francis Wished
One of Pope Francis’ “popemobiles” is being turned into a mobile health clinic for Gaza’s wounded and starving children — one of the pontiff’s last wishes before he died and a symbol of his long-held dedication to the Palestinian people.
Pope Francis encouraged Christian-Muslim dialogue and helped break down stereotypes
Pope Francis’ pontificate marked a distinct shift in the Catholic Church’s engagement with the Muslim world. While his predecessors fostered dialogue and tolerance, Francis sought more active engagement with Muslims, particularly in the Middle East.
Dividing lines at Catholic Conclave may be different than you expect
The process of choosing a successor for the late Pope Francis will certainly include maneuvering by conservative and progressive elements in the Catholic Church, but with little if any of the zero-sum scheming common among bitterly divided U.S. denominations, Vatican…
Martin Scorsese and Pope Francis teamed to produce a documentary called ‘Aldeas — A New Story’
Martin Scorsese is a producing a documentary made with Pope Francis that will chronicle the late pontiff’s work with cinema in the global educational movement he founded before his death.