Pope Leo XIV is not going to reject the reforms of Pope Francis, but neither is he going to quickly move beyond them.
Thomas J. Reese
Thomas J. Reese, S.J., is a senior analyst for Religion News Service. Previously he was a columnist at The National Catholic Reporter (2015-17) and an associate editor (1978-85) and editor in chief (1998-2005) of America.
Posted inShort Take
Why U.S. Catholics kneel during the Eucharist—and the rest of the world stands
While most people see standing as an innovation coming from Vatican II, in fact, kneelers became common in Catholic churches only in the last 200 years.
Posted inLast Take
RIP Edward A. Reese, S.J.: My brother, a fellow Jesuit and a champion of poor and minority students
Eddie used to refer to me as the “famous Father Reese” because I was often quoted in the media, but in San Jose, Phoenix and San Francisco he was known to thousands of people as a giant in Jesuit education and a friend.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
Be like the good Samaritan: Put your time (and money) where your mouth is
Despair is easy for anyone who takes seriously the call to love your neighbor as yourself. But hope can come in two ways.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Catholic bishops quietly criticized Trump’s budget. But they need to get their message out.
The USCCB wrote a letter to Congress on May 20 mildly refuting certain aspects of Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill.
Posted inFaith, Faith and Reason
The papal transition: What you need to know
What happens when a pope dies or resigns? How does a papal conclave work? What can we expect from a new pope?
Posted inFaith, Faith and Reason
Conclave: Everything you need to know about electing a new pope
What happens at a conclave? Tom Reese, S.J., answers questions related to the conclave, the event when a new pope is elected by the College of Cardinals.
Posted inFaith, Faith and Reason
What happens between the death of a pope and the election of another
What happens during the interregnum period? Tom Reese, S.J., explains the time between one pope’s death and the succession of the next pope.
Posted inFaith, Faith and Reason
What happens when a pope dies or resigns?
What happens when a pope dies or resigns? Tom Reese, S.J., explains the steps in detail of what will occur at the Vatican after a pope’s death.
Posted inFaith, News
Before picking a new pope, the cardinals will politick
Although overtly campaigning to be pope is discouraged and would be counterproductive, the cardinals do a lot of politicking in private prior to the conclave.