In Memoriam | Drew Christiansen, S.J. | February 20, 1945—April 6, 2022 | 13th Editor in Chief, 2005 to 2012

A new book describes the current state of Vatican affairs not so much through the lens of Pope Francis’ nine-year papacy, but via Benedict’s nine-year retirement.

If the main duty of a cardinal is to be an adviser to the pope, and there is no ordination required, it could make sense to restart the tradition of lay cardinals—and include women in the mix.

Catholics, that is to say, have not necessarily been praying the Our Father wrongly, but too often we have not been praying it fully, either. While we are busy trying to get it right, we neglect to make it our own and discover its vast permutations.

This Funeral Mass homily was delivered by James Martin, S.J., at Holy Trinity Church in Washington, D.C., on April 20, 2022.

Adults envy the wonder that kids can find in the everyday world, while kids resent being told that so much of the world is off-limits to them, that they must not touch, not taste, not take into their own hands.