Liberal Catholics who were hopeful that Pope Francis’s papacy would usher in sweeping reforms are discovering that the Church “is an institution that takes its time with major decisions, and none of this is going to happen soon.”  More →

November 1, 2013

Watch excerpts from a panel discussion at Georgetown University examining the influence of Pope Francis’ leadership on American public life six months after his election. More →

October 4, 2013

“I think the missile strike doesn’t do the most essential thing, which is saving the people of Syria. And we could do more if we spent the money we’re spending on bombs on caring for the refugees,” says Father Drew Christiansen. More →

September 6, 2013

Latin American liberation theologians, according to Rev Thomas Reese, SJ, say the pope may not use the words liberation theology, ”but he certainly talks the talk: his concern for the poor, his desire to empower the poor to take responsibility and to be part of the community—this is very important for him. He doesn’t use the word liberation theology, but his message is very close to it.” More →

July 26, 2013

“St. Francis considers himself to be a brother to everyone,” say Father Larry Dunham of the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America. “He had his own special vision.” More →

March 22, 2013

“If he stresses the social justice teachings of the church, the very counter-cultural message of simplicity and poverty, that could really change things without technically changing any teachings,” says David Gibson, national reporter for Religion News Service. More →

March 15, 2013

“He may be the very guy to come in and reform a lot of the problems that are going on in the Vatican curia right now. And that may be one thing that the cardinals saw that led to his election.” More →

March 15, 2013

By taking the name of one of the most revered figures in all Christianity, Pope Francis may be signalling that his papacy will prioritize caring for the “the least of these.” More →

March 15, 2013