Pope Francis makes addressing poverty essential

Newly appointed Bishop of San DiegoRobert McElroy on Pope Francis’ vision for the Catholic Church.

by Robert W. McElroy

A Pastoral Invitation

When I first read the substantive interview with Pope Francis in America, I was drawn by the pope’s openness, engaging style and repeated call to “go out” and meet people where they are. What is needed, he says, is nearness and proximity to those who are wounded.This certainly is a

by Donald W. Wuerl

Our Mag in Havana: The growing influence of a new Catholic journal in Cuba

The strengthening of religions in Cuba, especially since the 1980s, is reflected in the expansion of religious media. Espacio Laical and Palabra Nueva, both publications of the Archdiocese of Havana, are the most visible and perhaps the most influential and widely disseminated, particularly among po

by Margaret E. Crahan

Of Many Things

Recent events suggest we are experiencing a kairos moment in the life of the church.

by Matt Malone, S.J.

Letters

State of the Question: The Pope’s Interview

Readers respond to "A Big Heart Open to God," by Antonio Spadaro, S.J. (9/30)A Beautiful HeartThe wonderful interview with Pope Francis is something that I will read over and over, trying to grasp for my own life the deep values that Francis holds dear and his vision for the church. I

by Our readers

Editorials

Paralysis in Washington

A government shutdown is an unconscionable burden on those least able to bear it.

by The Editors

Film

Multiple Restraints: Steve McQueen’s ‘12 Years a Slave’

Today, Steve McQueen’s “12 Years a Slave” received 10 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.

by John P. McCarthy

Poetry

Sitting

I don’t know, never knowwhy this sudden joy swell,the sea wall of self fallsand a tide of stars poursover and through me.Please take my blood,make a serum, inoculateme for when this passesand I again fear, certainthat wonder cannot be.

by Clifford Paul Fetters

The Word

Tired of Sin

Sin is attractive I have watched a lot of television shows in my life and a lot more commercials and the one thing I know for certain is that sin is fun often accompanied by happy young women and men and there are no absolutely no consequences for bad behavior If you want to be…

by John W. Martens

Columns

Lead Us Not Into Clericalism

Pope Francis calls us to be humbler and more generous priests.

by Daniel P. Horan

Current Comment

Play On?; ‘Sell By’ Dates; Just War for Oil?

by The Editors

Faith

Francis in ‘America’: A historic papal interview draws world-wide reaction

Editor’s note: The historic interview with Pope Francis (Am. 9/30) has generated a great deal of dialogue in the church and in society at large. We asked several writers to offer their reactions to the pope’s words. Selections from these responses are printed below. The full versions of

by Blase J. Cupich, Drew Christiansen, Karen Sue Smith, Robert P. Imbelli, John W. O’Malley, Stephen P. White, Patrick Gilger, S.J., Stephen Bullivant, Meghan J. Clark, Richard Rohr and James Hanvey, S.J.

Signs Of the Times

News Briefs

The fall General Assembly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops begins on Nov. 11 in Baltimore. • Great Britain’s Catholic Agency for Overseas Development declined Dennis MacBride’s donation of the proceeds from his political memoir Power Trip, after increasing criticism of the

by From AP, CNS, RNS, Staff and other sources

Chaos in Central African Republic

A Catholic religious order has urged international action to stem “uncontrolled lawlessness” in the Central African Republic after one of its Italian missionaries was threatened with death by rebel soldiers. “Let us pray that peace may return in this country torn apart by different

by From AP, CNS, RNS, Staff and other sources

Pope, Cardinals Push Dramatic Reform of Roman Curia

The pope and his council are laying out plans to overhaul the Roman Curia completely.

by From AP, CNS, RNS, Staff and other sources

Obligation to Protect Not a License for War

An international obligation to intervene in situations of war or widespread violations of human rights does not mean a country or group of countries can decide to take military action inside another nation, said the Vatican’s foreign minister. “The responsibility to protect” is not

by From AP, CNS, RNS, Staff and other sources

Church ‘Covers’ Federal Tab

Around the country thousands of organizations were digging into reserves to keep Head Start programs open or provide nutrition and other services for children after the federal government shutdown on Oct. 1. In Kansas, shelters for homeless families and for battered women and children, a foster gran

by From AP, CNS, RNS, Staff and other sources