What do these decisions tell us about Pope Leo XIV and his understanding both of the SSPX and of the church unity that is central to his papacy?
Vatican II
Posted inVatican Dispatch
SSPX ordains four new bishops in defiance of Pope Leo and the Vatican
The SSPX ordained four new bishops without a papal mandate in Switzerland, triggering automatic excommunication for all six bishops involved.
Posted inNews
Cardinal Camillo Ruini, Catholic power broker in Italy’s culture wars, dies at 95
The late cardinal was critical of Pope Francis’ pontificate but celebrated the election of Pope Leo XIV, who Ruini hoped would “reunite the Catholic Church.”
Posted inVatican Dispatch
Pope Leo speaks out on SSPX ordinations and U.S.-Iran deal
The pope spoke to journalists outside Castel Gandolfo.
Posted inCatholic Book Club
Gordon Zahn’s influence on Catholic just war teaching
Gordon Zahn’s influence on Catholic views toward state-sponsored violence, conscientious objection, pacifism and discipleship reached far beyond American shores in his long career of activism.
Posted inNews
Pope Leo on liturgy: Be open to reform, ‘respect the texts and norms’
Amid renewed tensions between the Vatican and traditionalist Catholics over the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, Pope Leo XIV defended Church reform as a legitimate process that adapts to current needs while remaining rooted in authentic tradition.
Posted inBooks
‘Father, forgive me’: James O’Toole on Confession in America
In his artful account of American participation in the sacrament of confession, ‘For I Have Sinned: The Rise and Fall of Catholic Confession in America,’ James O’Toole offers a succinct analysis of when and why American Catholics partake of the sacrament.
Posted inFaith and Reason
Vatican II and Pope Leo’s ‘kingly’ role
Leo’s main task is to embed Vatican II in the institutions of the church.
Posted inFaith and Reason
For priests, ‘smelling like the sheep’ is not optional
The smell of the sheep is not something external to the priest that he may put on from time to time when engaging in ministry.
Posted inFeatures
Pope Leo at year one: The progress of an American pope
As we approach the one-year anniversary of Pope Leo’s election, we can see the outlines of a papacy that combines measured deliberation with a prophetic voice on many issues of the day.