Maintaining the relationship between the United States and the Holy See is vital to advancing the interests of each government.
Explainer
Posted inExplainer, Politics & Society
Here’s what you need to know about Poland’s abortion ban — and the protests against it.
Archbishop Gadecki, president of the Polish bishops’ conference, called for protestors and lawmakers to have further talks “on how to protect the right to life and women’s rights.”
Posted inExplainer, Politics & Society
Explainer: What are Pope Francis and the Vatican doing to fight climate change?
The Biden administration will find a willing partner in the fight against climate change in Rome—where the commitment to the environment predates Pope Francis.
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Explainer: The history of women lectors and altar servers—and what Pope Francis has changed
Women have served as lectors and acolytes for decades. Now Pope Francis has changed canon law to formally recognize their ministry.
Posted inExplainer, Politics & Society
These 14 senators are all Jesuit-educated. But they don’t vote (or pray) alike.
They’re Democrats and Republicans, Catholics, Protestants and a Buddhist. But they all graduated from a Jesuit high school, college or university.
Posted inExplainer, Politics & Society
The 15 times a Catholic has been named Time’s Person of the Year
With no small bit of swagger, we present to you: Catholics who were Time’s Person of the Year.
Posted inExplainer, Politics & Society
Explainer: Why do so few clergy serve in Congress?
While most Americans remain religious, the fundamental belief that religion and politics should operate in separate spheres remains strong in the United States.
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Why does the Catholic Church object to IVF? It’s more complicated than you think.
Scientific advances have allowed enormous breakthroughs in overcoming infertility—but not without some vexing ethical questions.
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Explainer: What is the Zaire rite—and why is Pope Francis talking about it now?
Pope Francis has held up the Congolese liturgy as a model for similarly inculturated rites in other parts of the Catholic world.
Posted inExplainer, Faith
The Church of Maradona: Understanding the left-wing saint of soccer
The passionate reaction to Maradona’s death was a sign of his transcendence and quasi-religious appeal.