The Real Legacy of Pope Francis
A reexamination and subsequent clarification of the papacy itself may be the most lasting and welcome legacy of Pope Francis.
On the Death of Pope Francis and the Dignity We Owe Every Human Life
What are the limits of decorum at the death of our shepherds who may have failed their duty to God?
Benedict and Francis: A Tale of Two Fathers
Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, many Catholics felt abandoned by the father they loved, only to be straddled by a less-than-loving stepfather.
Grieving for the Holy Father
The Church should grieve for every member, and “the pope” is much bigger than any individual pope. But grief should not interfere with serious evaluation of his papacy.
Never Forget: Pope Francis on Covid
Let’s not forget just how bad Francis abandoned and hurt his flock during the dark days of Covid.
The Death of a Father
I long for a father who will give me some encouragement in the thankless and often unpleasant task of building up something like a human culture, one whose springs well up from the Faith.
The Pope of Ironies
The reign of Pope Francis was one filled with apparent incongruities and even contradictions.
May Pope Francis Rest in Peace. And May Peace Return to Mother Church.
Good Catholics were often confused during the Francis pontificate.
The Death of Pope Francis
Pope Francis has died and gone to his eternal reward. We’ll look back at his papacy and forward to the upcoming conclave.
The Pope is Dead. Long Live the Papacy.
Pope Francis famously called on Catholics to “make a mess.” He surely did, and now it’s up to us to clean up. Pray for the soul of Pope Francis, pray for the next pope, and pray for Holy Mother Church.
The Pope, the Poor, “Pageantry and Prominence”
When the pope warns against “pageantry and prominence,” I want to know how he will also protect against tacky and tawdry because the latter has often been the practical upshot of post-Vatican II liturgical choices.
The Pope I Pray For
I must admit to having—as every Catholic must—an idea of what I would wish for from and in a pope.
Preparing for the Pope’s Passing
There is an apologia brewing for the spirit of the Francis papacy as secular stakeholders recoil to lose his fast-and-loose presence in the Vatican with the same vehemence as they recoil at Donald Trump’s fast-and-furious return to the White House.
An Examination of Conscience for a Jaded Francis Reader
There’s something to be learned from the pope’s actions, timing, and even (as I suspect this is) missteps—not necessarily because the pope is trying to teach us but because God always is.
A System Is What It Does: On Cardinal McElroy’s Appointment
The Church, at least in its administrative aspect, is a patronage system, and the purpose of ecclesiastical appointments is to create powerful patrons who protect and promote clients.
TwitterPope vs. Master Catechism?
A new catechism tool could help even Vatican officials better understand the Catholic Faith.
The Unserious “House of Luce”
I expect heresy and moral scandal to blight the Church from time to time. What distresses me more is the utter lack of seriousness, the lack of appreciation for the awesome responsibility which Church leaders bear.
Answering Protestant Objections to Pope Francis
I’ve been told by several Protestants over the last decade that Francis is the single greatest obstacle to their conversion. How should I respond?
