Papal initiation homilies have long served as moments of clarity, not only inaugurating a pontificate but auguring its direction.
Read MoreThe new Holy Father made particular reference to Leo XIII reigning in a time of economic and social change; Leo XIV intuits that something similar is afoot.
Read MoreIn his first days as Pope, Leo XIV has signaled continuity over rupture, rooted his vision in patristic tradition, and issued a bold call to young people: ‘Do not be afraid.’
Read MoreA 'citizen of the world,' the new pontiff brings renewed hope for global peace
Read MoreWho the new pope will be is not exactly who he has been — being Leo is different than being Robert, just as being Peter is different than being Simon.
Read MoreThe Chicago native leads the global church as the successor of St. Peter.
Read MorePreaching, worship and charity aren’t rival qualities but form a unified mission — and the new pope must live and lead with all three.
Read MoreA conclave constructed by the late Holy Father to exclude Patriarch Shevchuk is one less likely to be an instrument of the Holy Spirit.
Read MorePope Francis’ successor should address four main aspects: persecution, social doctrine, missionary withering and poor governance.
Read MoreFrom the start, Francis mistakenly insisted he was simply Bishop of Rome, which was remarkable; that he would say so to the end is astonishing.
Read MoreFive areas are worthy of assessment: migration, tyranny, China, climate change and Islam.
Read MorePope reminded us that reconciliation between peoples may include government policies and enormous spending but it can't be reduced to that
Read MoreSt. John Paul II, as a young priest, was renowned for telling his penitents, after thoroughly examining the question at hand: “You must choose.” That is suitable for the confessional, not for a papal document.
Read MoreTo certain traditional Catholic ears, the pontiff from Buenos Aires was cause for concern. To more worldly ears, he was cause for rejoicing
Read MoreThe Council of Nicaea gave Christianity more than a creed — it gave the Church a way to calculate Easter. But unity around the great feast of the Resurrection remains incomplete.
Read MoreThe Temple needed to be cleansed in the time of Caiaphas. It still does. It always will.
Read MoreSince the first presidential speaker at spring commencement in 1960, seven of the 12 presidents in office have not been invited to Notre Dame’s commencement.
Read MoreIt could be that Pope Francis simply prefers to see no enemies to the left. Yet there are other explanations.
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