Pope Francis

ROME—For traditionalists in the conservative wings of the Catholic church who believe worship is an “essential service” even during pandemic lockdowns, the limits put on Mass have proven fertile ground for conspiracy theories—especially those targeting Pope Francis. Throughout the crisis, the pontiff has continued to urge restraint and caution—essentially, in…

A postage stamp issued to commemorate the first Earth Day, April 1970. Credit: Michael Rega/Shutterstock The environmental movement's past recently collided with its future. April 22 marked the 50th anniversary of the first Earth Day, a milestone for environmentalism. A few days later, a global school strike was organized by…

New York Times: How Kushner's Volunteer Force Led a Fumbling Hunt for Medical Supplies  —  Roughly a dozen young, inexperienced workers were assembled to sort through tips on masks, gloves and other equipment.  Warehouses were running bare, and doctors fighting the coronavirus were forced to make their own protective gear.…

Hollywood actor Adam Driver wasn't born when William Morgan blazed a path across Cuba with a band of guerrillas, helping Fidel Castro seize control of the country during a critical period of the revolution.But when Morgan's widow learned last week that 36-year-old Driver was starring in a movie to be…

Malta has asked Pope Francis to take in a migrant family as it pressures other EU nations to share refugee burdens. Malta is keeping 56 migrants — initially rescued by fishing boats — on a tourist ferry far offshore. Malta's government in a diplomatic note urged Pope Francis Tuesday to…

ROME — Pope Francis urged Christians Sunday to discern carefully between God’s voice and the devil’s voice in their lives, insisting that Satan “seduces” while God “consoles.” In his weekly streamed Regina Caeli address, the pope drew inspiration from the gospel reading for the day that presents Jesus as the…

Former pope Benedict XVI, who dramatically resigned in 2013, was often criticized for his attitudes to social issues such as diversity, and attempting to undermine the modernisation drive of his successor Pope Francis.Former pope Benedict XVI (Joseph Ratzinger), known for his stringent traditionalism, has claimed that his opponents sought to…

The Polish cardinal represents a forward-thinking wing of the Roman Catholic Church. May 02 2020 7:21 PM EDT A group of struggling transgender sex workers in Italy recently found a surprising beneficiary: a cardinal working under Pope Francis. Cardinal Konrad Krajewski is the Vatican's distributor of alms, overseeing philanthropy for…

The coronavirus has laid bare the disparities that have been ravaging Black communities for decades. Sure, we’re all in this together, but we’re not all being affected in the same way—nor have we ever been. We’ve seen this movie before. Time and time again, diseases, economic downturns, and the combination…

On Sundays during the Time of Coronavirus, Dave Manzo and his wife watch a Mass video-streamed from their Back Bay church, St. Cecilia’s. When it comes time for Communion, Manzo’s wife blesses the bread and wine, and they celebrate the Eucharist at home.“I know this isn’t Catholic teaching,” Manzo said,…