Pope John Paul II
Papal loyalists become dissidents
By Thomas Reese — November 8, 2017
(RNS) — What is remarkable about the critics of Pope Francis is that during the papacies of John Paul and Benedict, they harshly criticized as dissidents and heretics anyone who questioned papal teaching. It is clear that their loyalty was not to the successor of Peter but to their own theological opinions.
Catholic faith moves Houston’s ‘Mattress Mack’ to shelter Hurricane Harvey victims
By Bobby Ross Jr. — September 5, 2017
(RNS) — Little did McIngvale know that Houston quickly would become a disaster zone — and that he, driven by his faith, would emerge as one of the battered city’s most beloved heroes.
Cardinal William Keeler was a bridge-builder. He was also my friend
By Yonat Shimron — March 28, 2017
(RNS) Facts, of course, are necessary in any obituary, but facts alone cannot capture the essence of the man who was an extraordinary global leader in building human bridges of mutual respect and understanding between Roman Catholics and Jews.
In Assisi, Pope Francis lunches with world refugees
By Josephine McKenna — September 20, 2016
ROME (RNS) On World Day of Prayer for Peace, Francis lunched with refugees from Syria, Eritrea, Mali and Nigeria, including a 6-year-old and an 8-year-old.
Who’s a heretic? Martin Luther, Pope Saint John Paul, Pope Benedict and Pope Francis
By Martin E. Marty — June 13, 2016
Popes have been interested in heresy and heretics for centuries, and language linking “papacy” and “heresy” continues to prosper down to our own day. The language root of “heresy” connects with “to choose,” and the heretic is someone who, in the eyes of someone else, makes bad choices. Those of us who are not of […]
Pope John Paul II relic stolen from Cologne Cathedral
By guest — June 6, 2016
BERLIN - A cloth with a drop of blood from former Pope John Paul II has been stolen from Cologne Cathedral, German police said.
As Cuba readies for Pope Francis’ visit, Catholicism thrives again
By Reuters — September 17, 2015
The church -- repressed for decades after Fidel Castro's 1959 revolution -- now has more autonomy than any organization outside the Communist Party.
Liberation theology’s founder basks in a belated rehabilitation under Pope Francis
By David Gibson — May 7, 2015
NEW YORK (RNS) The Rev. Gustavo Gutierrez is in a sense the Yoda of Catholicism: a small but sage presence who has known vituperation and exile, and who is now able to see his life’s work vindicated.
Chicago Cardinal Francis George dies at 78, an icon of a conservatism suddenly out of favor
By David Gibson — April 17, 2015
(RNS) Chicago's Cardinal Francis George thrived under Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI. Under the more progressive Francis, though, "I don’t yet really have an understanding of ‘What are we doing here?’ ”
Will Pope Francis have a short papacy? Don’t bet on it
By David Gibson — March 17, 2015
(RNS) Clearly, say those familiar with the pope’s thinking, he is enjoying himself and is willing to go on as long as God sees fit.
50 years of Christian-Jewish revolution: What we can all learn (COMMENTARY)
By David Rosen — February 13, 2015
(RNS) If one religion can go from seeing another as contemptible and condemnable, to one that is respected and beloved, it can surely serve as a model for humanity at large.
Would-be papal assassin Mehmet Ali Agca expelled from Italy
By Josephine McKenna — December 29, 2014
(RNS) Mehmet Ali Agca's expulsion came two days after he placed flowers on the late pope’s tomb in St. Peter's Basilica on Saturday.
Brittany Maynard’s death: Does suffering have spiritual meaning? (ANALYSIS)
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — November 3, 2014
(RNS) By dying at age 29, Maynard signaled that she saw no point in needless suffering. And if suffering is optional, then it might also be spiritually meaningless.
Pope Francis: ‘Evolution … is not inconsistent with the notion of creation’
By Josephine McKenna — October 27, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) “God is not a divine being or a magician, but the Creator who brought everything to life,” Pope Francis said.
Now you can eat with Pope Francis … or at least cook his favorite dishes
By Josephine McKenna — October 22, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Want to taste Pope Francis' empanadas, or John Paul's pierogis? A new cookbook shows you how.
