Before he dies or retires, Pope Francis needs to make changes in the process of electing a new pope to avoid the possibility of a deadlocked conclave.
Thomas J. Reese
Thomas J. Reese, S.J., is a senior analyst for Religion News Service. Previously he was a columnist at The National Catholic Reporter (2015-17) and an associate editor (1978-85) and editor in chief (1998-2005) of America.
Posted inFaith, News
Five rules for disagreeing with the pope — and still being a good Catholic
Let’s be honest: We are all cafeteria Catholics. The real question is how we avoid a food fight in the cafeteria.
Posted inFaith, News
Pope Francis needs to tell the world who will make his end-of-life decisions
Pope Francis needs to publicly appoint an agent to make decisions about his medical care for when he is no longer able to make them himself. Without this appointment, there will be confusion and division in the church.
Posted inNews Analysis, Politics & Society
In Central America, Kamala Harris ignored our best hope: Catholic bishops
The bishops could be the Biden administration’s strongest allies in the region in alleviating the problems that force people to try to reach the United States.
Posted inFaith, Short Take
Pope Francis wants to reform the curia. Good luck with that. (Really)
A new papal document reforming the Curia will soon be published. I’m sure Pope Francis’ heart is in the right place, but I expect to be disappointed.
Posted inFaith, Faith and Reason
We need to talk: healing our deeply divided church and country.
The divisions in our country are deep on issues like racism and economic inequality, as well as on education, cultural values and lifestyles. Likewise, our church is divided. What are communicators to do in the face of these divisions?
Posted inFaith, Short Take
Vatican II made changes to the liturgy. It’s time to think about making more.
The purpose of a transparent and collegial process is to develop good liturgy that is supported by a consensus within the community.
Posted inNews Analysis, Politics & Society
Joe Biden sends a signal that he’s willing to dialogue with the bishops and other faith leaders
The faith-based office, founded under President George W. Bush, evolved over the past two decades, but it became moribund under President Donald Trump, who preferred to talk only with evangelical leaders who supported him.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Can Joe Biden solve the Little Sisters of the Poor dilemma?
If there is one thing Joe Biden does not need, it’s a lawsuit against the Little Sisters of the Poor.
Posted inFaith, Short Take
The media is playing up the conflict between Joe Biden and the U.S. bishops—and it’s hurting both sides.
While it is true that conflict exists between the U.S. bishops and the Biden administration, ignoring the areas of agreement is ignoring the facts. It is bad for the administration, bad for the bishops and bad for the country.