At this stage of the discernment, we might ponder if the categorization of women deacons as a “Western obsession” has itself in some ways become a Western obsession.

Kris Kristofferson was a Rhodes Scholar, a literary wunderkind and the lyricist behind many songs made famous by more prominent voices. Kristofferson was also—hear me out on this—a man for whom religious faith was an important part of his life.

A delegation organized by the American group Christians for Ceasefire visits Palestine and experiences a weeklong training session in nonviolent resistance.

What real changes can we expect from the Synod on Synodality? How is the Vatican responding to the rapidly expanding war in the Middle East? And who is rumored to succeed Pope Francis? Colleen Dulle and Gerard O'Connell tackle your burning questions in a special mailbag episode of “Inside the Vatican.”

With Pennsylvania widely considered the most crucial of the seven 2024 swing states and America feeling stuck in a winter of discord haunted by the specter of political violence, I decided to report on the election from Punxsutawney.

Francis has revolutionized the College of Cardinals by passing over large archdioceses like Los Angeles, Venice and Milan in favor of picking men from the peripheries who reflect his pastoral orientation and concern for the poor. 

The violence has claimed the lives of thousands of innocent victims, but it also “struck a profound blow to the common feeling of belonging to the Holy Land, to the consciousness of being part of a plan of Providence.”

On “Preach” this week, Father John Unni reflects on his homily from three years ago. “I like what that guy is saying, but I find it even more challenging,” he says. “I’m wrestling with these readings in a different way, a deeper way.”

In a letter on the anniversary of the October 7 attacks in the Middle East, Pope Francis calls for an end to conflict and a dialogue of peace.

On the anniversary of Oct. 7, the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust, I do not want to talk about peace or forgiveness. But the Synod on Synodality asks me to anyway.