Fr. Raymond J. de Souza
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Fr. Raymond J. de Souza
Fr. Raymond J. de Souza

Articles

Is Pope Leo XIV Leaving Us Clues About Where He’s Headed?

In 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.’

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Christopher McMullanMay 13, 2025National Catholic Register, Church Affairs
Praying that Leo XIV is the Pope we need now

A 'citizen of the world,' the new pontiff brings renewed hope for global peace

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Christopher McMullanMay 11, 2025National Post, Church Affairs
Pope Leo XIV: Initial Impressions on a Papal First

Who 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.

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Christopher McMullanMay 10, 2025National Catholic Register, Church Affairs
Catholics Welcome Leo XIV, an American Pope

The Chicago native leads the global church as the successor of St. Peter.

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Christopher McMullanMay 8, 2025The Wall Street Journal, Church Affairs
It May Be Time for a Quiet Pope

After the garrulous Francis, the cardinals may conclude that they’ve heard enough.

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Christopher McMullanMay 8, 2025The Wall Street Journal, Chur
Cardinal Re to Electors: Next Pope Must Strengthen Church as Our ‘Home and School of Communion’

Preaching, worship and charity aren’t rival qualities but form a unified mission — and the new pope must live and lead with all three.

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Christopher McMullanMay 7, 2025National Catholic Register, Church Affairs
The Cardinal Electors, Then and Now

A conclave constructed by the late Holy Father to exclude Patriarch Shevchuk is one less likely to be an instrument of the Holy Spirit.

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Christopher McMullanMay 6, 2025First Things, Church Affairs
New Pope Must Correct the Declining Course of Catholicism in Latin America

Pope Francis’ successor should address four main aspects: persecution, social doctrine, missionary withering and poor governance.

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Christopher McMullanMay 6, 2025National Catholic Register, Church Affairs
This Question Shook John Paul II — Now Another Man Must Answer Christ’s Summons

The greatest pre-conclave homily was preached by St. John Paul II in 1978, on the Gospel where Christ asks Peter three times, ‘Do you love me?’ — the same Gospel heard in churches around the world this Sunday.

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Christopher McMullanMay 4, 2025National Catholic Register, Faith
While Poilievre is humbled, Carney calls for humility

Prime minister's victory speech the strangest — in a pleasantly surprising way — in memory

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Christopher McMullanMay 4, 2025National Post, Politics
Interregnum: Restoration of the Petrine Office

From the start, Francis mistakenly insisted he was simply Bishop of Rome, which was remarkable; that he would say so to the end is astonishing.

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Christopher McMullanMay 3, 2025The Catholic Thing, Church Affairs
Why Pope Francis Made Foreign Policy a High Priority

Five areas are worthy of assessment: migration, tyranny, China, climate change and Islam.

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Christopher McMullanMay 2, 2025National Catholic Register, Church Affairs
Those pushing Ukraine to surrender may now be in retreat

Trump may have finally realized that it is a mistake — as Pope Francis made last year — to pressure Ukraine to end a war it did not start

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Christopher McMullanApril 29, 2025National Post, Politics
The Liturgical Deaths of Popes

Holy Week ended, and so did the pontificate, in the loggia of St. Peter’s for the Urbi et Orbi. Francis had a good death, edifying and mercifully quick, dying according to a liturgical rhythm.

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Christopher McMullanApril 26, 2025The Catholic Thing, Faith
Francis remained faithful to the truth during 'pilgrimage' to Canada

Pope reminded us that reconciliation between peoples may include government policies and enormous spending but it can't be reduced to that

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Christopher McMullanApril 26, 2025National Post, Church Affairs
Divine Mercy Takes Center Stage With Pope Francis’ Funeral

The mercy of God is invoked at any Catholic funeral, and Divine Mercy has been a mainstay of papal life for 25 years.

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Christopher McMullanApril 26, 2025National Catholic Register, Faith
Pope Francis’ Ardent Love for St. Mary Major, His Final Resting Place

Of all the great basilicas of Rome, the one dedicated to the Blessed Mother was his favorite.

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Christopher McMullanApril 25, 2025National Catholic Register, Faith
The World’s Spiritual Director

St. 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.

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Christopher McMullanApril 22, 2025First Things, Church Affairs
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