Why one Orthodox patriarch can denounce Russia’s invasion of Ukraine even while another supports it
Explainer
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.
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Pope Francis is making space for LGBT people in the church—with limits. And it’s a huge step forward.
As with much of his pastoral approach overall, the pope’s outreach to L.G.B.T. people can be characterized by the word “accompaniment.”
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Explainer: What happens when an Anglican bishop becomes Catholic?
Why, and how, do high-profile figures in the Church of England make the swim across the Tiber?