Our good new Pope inspires both joyful and anxious hope in reform minded Catholics

Good day from Rome the first day of the pontificate of Pope Francis It rsquo s a very ordinary Thursday here one would never know that a little less than 24 hours ago the city was a frenzy of tears cheers smiles and prayers The rain fell hard last night as what seemed like half of Italy made

Jesus preached by way of parable I reckon that if it worked for the master the disciple can ply the same craft which is why I often begin sermons with a story something that hopefully has a emotional hook to draw in the hearer But the Parable of the Prodigal Son is already so emotionally evoc

Let’s pray for a pope who takes God and the church seriously—but not himself.

Who was the last pope to step down from his office? How many popes have resigned?

For secular Washington, Benedict was the pope of no. For those who listened, Benedict is more the pope of and, connecting charity and truth, faith and reason.