The Vatican has issued a new document rejecting the concept of changing one’s biological sex. This is a setback for transgender people who had hoped Pope Francis might be setting the stage for a more welcoming approach from the Catholic Church. World Religions Around the world, major religions have diverse approaches to gender identity, and Read more
On the morning of Easter Sunday 2024, Pope Francis presided over Mass in St Peter’s Square before delivering his urbi et orbi message and blessing from the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica in the presence of an estimated 60,000 people. “Urbi et orbi” means “To the city [of Rome] and to the world.” I Read more
Rallying from a winter-long bout of respiratory problems, Pope Francis led some 30,000 people in Easter celebrations on Sunday and made a strong appeal for a cease-fire in Gaza and a prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine. Francis presided over Easter Sunday Mass in a flower-decked St Peter’s Square and then delivered a heartfelt prayer Read more
Women are leaving the Catholic Church at an alarming rate, many citing “irreconcilable differences.” In a world waking up to the reality of sexism and sex abuse at every level of seemingly every institution, the church’s slowness to adapt and engage with feminist demands has weakened its hold, with some women leaving the faith altogether. Read more
Some ask about polarisations occurring within the Church, and they expect honest answers. Others give me their own frank and honest opinions. Their concerns deserve respectful dialogue. Yet others have partially removed themselves from in-house discussion by opting for a “spirituality” more or less independent of the Church. Confusions that come to us from the Read more
After raising expectations with his Synod on Synodality, Pope Francis is punting on a number of controversial issues that the synod process invited lay Catholics to raise. When the next session of the synod meets this October, the topics of married priests and same-sex blessings will be off the table. The possibility of women deacons Read more
Stephen Colbert, one of the most famous Catholics in the entertainment business, is moving one step closer to Pope Francis. The Late Show host will narrate Pope Francis’ audiobook Life: My Story Through History. He will narrate the six-hour audiobook, which comes out on March 19 via HarperAudio, alongside Franciscan friar and priest John Quigley. Read more
Pope Francis is good at pricking consciences. He does this regarding reconciliation and peace in the world, especially in Eastern Europe. For example, when he sends Cardinal Matteo Zuppi of Bologna – a leading figure from the Sant’Egidio Community who is skilled in peaceful conflict resolution – to meet with leaders of major powers. Or Read more
In his newly released autobiography “Life: My Story Through History” Pope Francis asserts that he has no plans to retire despite ongoing criticism and health challenges. The autobiography, co-authored with Italian journalist Fabio Marchese Ragona, delves into key moments of his life and papacy, shedding light on his stance amidst controversies surrounding his leadership. At Read more
Saints are not unreachable “exceptions of humanity” said Pope Francis on Wednesday. They are ordinary people who worked diligently to grow in virtue, and are a sign of humanity’s virtue, he said. Think of the saints as “a kind of small circle of champions who live beyond the limits of our species” Francis wrote for Read more