Pope Francis will soon arrive in Canada. What is the history of residential schools in Canada? And what might a papal apology mean in a long, important process of truth-telling and reconciliation?
Explainer
Posted inExplainer, Faith
People don’t become angels when they die. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t watching over us.
Is it in keeping with our faith to believe it is possible that those who have died may be able to help us? Absolutely.
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Explainer: Understanding Orthodoxy, the shared religion of Ukraine and Russia
Why one Orthodox patriarch can denounce Russia’s invasion of Ukraine even while another supports it
Posted inExplainer, Faith
6 things you didn’t know about the canonization of St. Ignatius Loyola and St. Francis Xavier
On March 12, the Society of Jesus celebrates the 400th anniversary of the canonizations of St. Ignatius of Loyola and St. Francis Xavier. Here are six interesting facts about this important moment in the life of the Jesuits.
Posted inExplainer, Faith
I’m a priest who never had a devotion to the rosary. So I decided to dig into its meaning.
Where did the practice of praying the rosary come from, and why is it such an important part of so many Catholics’ spiritual lives?
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Which president met the most popes? Who gave the weirdest gift? A brief history of U.S.-Vatican encounters.
When Pope Francis welcomes U.S. President Joseph R. Biden Jr. to the Vatican tomorrow, it will mark the 31st meeting between a sitting pope and a sitting U.S. president.
Posted inExplainer, Politics & Society
Pope Francis wants you to remember the three T’s: Tierra, Techo, Trabajo (Land, Lodging, Labor)
The pope calls his three T’s—“Tierra, techo, trabajo”—sacred rights.
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Explainer: Pope Francis is naming St. Irenaeus a ‘Doctor of the Church.’ What does that mean?
Is St. Irenaeus really a doctor, or does he just play one on TV? Does he rush to someone’s aid on an airplane? Might he collaborate with Dr. Dre?
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Explainer: So, what exactly is a synod?
And why is Pope Francis holding a synod on synodality?
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Which Bible translation should Catholics use? It’s not the one you think.
There’s no such thing as the “perfect” Bible translation. Still, some might be better for Catholic readers than others.