The choice of a papal name is said to be the new pope’s first important decision.
James Martin, S.J.
The Rev. James Martin, S.J., is a Jesuit priest, author, editor at large at America and founder of Outreach.
Posted inConclave Diary, Faith
Father James Martin: The truth about the conclave? Nobody knows anything.
Much of what you hear about who the next pope will be, spoken with enormous confidence by people in the know, is often completely contradictory.
Posted inFaith, News Analysis
Father James Martin: Don’t be afraid of the conclave—or the next pope
Dozens, perhaps hundreds, have told me that this time of transition makes them feel unsure, unsettled and uncomfortable, three difficult feelings. Some people have even told me that they are afraid. To which I say: Fear not!
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
Pope Francis changed my life—and the lives of countless L.G.B.T.Q. people
All of Pope Francis’ gestures, meetings and desires for encounter were themselves a form of “teaching.” And L.G.B.T.Q. Catholics and their families have told me repeatedly what a difference this change in approach has meant.
Posted inFaith, Features
Pope Francis never stopped being a Jesuit
“Pope Francis entered the papacy as a Jesuit, governed as one and died as one,” Father James Martin writes.
Posted inArts & Culture, Television
‘The White Lotus’ finale, sin and discernment: How (and why) do we make big life choices?
Take the money? Join a monastery? Grab the gun?
Posted inFaith, Last Take
R.I.P. Roger Freet, a man responsible for some of your favorite Catholic books
Some of your favorite books by Christian authors came to be because of the careful and loving assistance of Roger Freet, the editor and literary agent who died on March 18.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
A prayer for Pope Francis during his grave illness
Loving God: As Francis, our beloved pope, suffers from grave illnesses, we come before you in prayer.
Posted inArts & Culture, Books
Review: Father James Martin on three books about death and mortality
I was delighted recently to discover that three of my favorite authors, all from extremely different backgrounds and perspectives, have written three extremely different books on aging. Yet even with their differences, they agree on the big points.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
Caring for migrants and refugees is not optional for Catholics.
Jesus calls us to care for those in need—regardless of national boundaries.