Pope

Pius IX, the creation of modern Italy, and the transformation of the papacy.

Pope Francis has told Catholic media that his annual World Communications Day speech, watched by tens of millions around the world, will be dedicated to addressing “fake news.” Journalists are “fundamental” to democratic society, said the pope, and in doing their job “shouldn’t fall into the ‘sins…

In 1991, George Weigel arrived in Prague to research The Final Revolution, a book that told the story of Pope John Paul II’s influence on the collapse of communism. That book would show that Weigel understood John Paul from the inside, as the pope thought he needed to be understood, and would pave…

What is the Francis Effect? Recent surveys show that despite all the hype since Jorge Mario Bergoglio first became pope in March 2013, there has been little change in how often Roman Catholics in America attend Mass. This is not to say, though, that the pope has not deeply changed the lives of many…

What is the Francis Effect? Recent surveys show that despite all the hype since Jorge Mario Bergoglio first became pope in March 2013, there has been little change in how often Roman Catholics in America attend Mass. This is not to say, though, that the pope has not deeply changed the lives of many…

Everyone talks about “chaos” in Congress just because Republicans haven’t chosen a new speaker of the House. If you want to see real chaos, look at Rome, where Pope Francis’s synod on the family has been a shambling disaster since the moment it started.

About 48 hours after Pope Francis decamped from America's greatest city, reports started circulating in the press-later confirmed by the Vatican-that the Holy Father had secretly met with Kim Davis, that Kentucky clerk who refused to grant same-sex marriage licenses. Davis, you'll recall, has been…

Pope Francis spoke to Congress this morning and Ross Douthat had an observation which helps a great deal in understanding the man:

Pope Francis spoke before Congress Thursday, and numerous politicians lived up to their most iconic moments. 

While there have been extensive comparisons of Bernie Sanders to Larry David—and there are undeniable similarities—some are now comparing the Jewish senator and presidential candidate to Pope Francis. 

Say this for President Obama: His troll game is strong. During his opening remarks welcoming Pope Francis, he abandoned his “freedom to worship” language and instead said: “People are only free when they can practice their faith freely.” And that, “We in the United States cherish our religious…

Back in 1999, The Weekly Standard ran one of my favorite cover lines ever: The New Europe: Menace or Farce? I often think of that question when I watch Pope Francis.

If anyone needs further evidence of why the news agencies often can’t be trusted to report accurately on Israel and the Palestinians, and why major news outlets such as the New York Times and the BBC should stop repeating agency copy without verifying it, here is an important example from this…

The White House announced the pope's visit in September:

The pope will address Congress in September, a press release from the speaker of the House announced today. 

Yesterday Pope Francis endorsed military action to stop the Islamic State (formerly the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria) from persecuting religious minorities, especially Christians and Yazidis, in Iraq.  The pope’s statement is to be welcomed—albeit with serious reservations.

President Obama has just concluded his meeting with the pope today in the Vatican. The White House sent details of the gift President Obama delivered to the pope.

CNN reports:

The White House has just released details of President Obama's upcoming Europe trip, which includes a visit with the pope in Vatican City on March 27. "The President looks forward to discussing with Pope Francis their shared commitment to fighting poverty and growing inequality," says the White…

A commentator on CNN dubbed Pope Francis "the hope and change pope" earlier today:

Vice President Joe Biden, who is in Rome for the new pope's inaugural mass, says he "better show up" at party with cardinals tonight or "I'll lose my soul." Via the pool report:

The White House announced that Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi will be representing America at the pope's inaugural mass. Both Biden and Pelosi are Catholics and pro-abortion.

An odd exchange at the State Department press briefing, via the official transcript:

In an interview that aired this morning, President Obama was asked whether he'd have too much influence over an American pope. He didn't answer the question, but he did say he hopes the next pope carries the "central message of the Gospel":

Cardinals will not allowed to access their Twitter accounts during conclave, according to Catholic News Service. This restriction is applicable to the 9 cardinals who have Twitter accounts. In all, there are "117 red-vested princes of the church who are eligible to vote for a new pope."

Responding to a question about the retirement of the pope, U.N. secretary general Ban Ki-moon thanked the pope for his "profound commitment ... to interfaith dialogue."

Vice President Joe Biden took himself out of consideration to be the next pope. Tara Murtha reports on Twitter:

In a statement marking the pope's retirement, President Barack Obama said, "I have appreciate our work together over these last four years."

The Vatican released this statement from Pope Benedict XVI announcing his plan to resign on February 28:

The latest ad from Mitt Romney's campaign goes after Barack Obama for declaring "war on religion."

The mission of the modern university professor is not merely “forming competent and efficient professionals capable of satisfying the demand for labor,” Pope Benedict XVI said in a speech in Madrid on Friday. Instead, professors and students should be “looking for something more lofty and capable…

Jonathan V. Last reviewed George Weigel's latest biography of Pope John Paul II , The End and the Beginning, for our summer books issue. Weigel's newest volume sheds light on the last years of the beloved figure, providing touching stories as well as fascinating new information about the Pope's…