The Pope’s visit has been an astounding success with tens of thousands crowding to get a glimpse of him, the President and his family going out to greet him and the Majority Leader reduced to tears and chucking in his job as a result. What’s happening? Are we about to witness a religious revival in America? Rod Dreher doesn’t think so. In a long article here he takes the religious temperature of Americans pretty fairly. Rod takes his usual pessimistic... Read more

For me here is the best moment of the Pope’s visit so far. The man has given a speech to thousands at the White House. The next day he gives a historic speech to both houses of Congress with the Supreme Court Justices in the front row. Then he comes out on the balcony of the Capitol to see hundred of thousands of cheering people. He puts his arm around Boehner and says, “Pray for me.” Then he smiles down... Read more

Somebody has said there are an equal number of people who are delighted by what the pope has said and an equal number who are distressed by what he didn’t say. Here are ten things to remember about a papal visit which should help put things in perspective. 1. In Congress, at the White House and at the UN the Pope is speaking as a Head of State – Remember that the Pope is not only the pastor and papa to all... Read more

My article for Aleteia today analyzes the Catholic understanding of poverty. Pope Francis speaks so much about poverty and wealth that you might assume that the Catholic Church thinks wealth is intrinsically evil and poverty intrinsically good. This is to misunderstand what is a subtle and profound understanding of the relationship between the spiritual and the physical. If poverty is a virtue, then one must conclude that riches and material possessions are evil. If possessions are sinful then they must... Read more

Reading through the commentary in the press and on social media it amazes me how snarky and nitpicking people are about Pope Francis’ visit. I think it was pretty much universally appreciated that he skipped lunch with Pelosi, Biden, Boehner and the other nitwits on Capitol Hill in favor of visiting with the homeless, but other complaints illustrate people’s negativities, narrow mindedness and ignorance. Here’s are a few nits that were picked: 1. “The Pope should have given Obama a... Read more

I admit. I’m somewhat confused. I’m generally enthusiastic about Pope Francis, but I do wonder why does he keep going on and on to his bishops and clergy about the need to be kind and gentle and merciful? In Cuba he told the priests not to be harsh and judgmental in the confessional. To the bishops today he told them to be gentle and kind. Really? I’ve never had anything but kindness and gentleness from a priest to whom I... Read more

A beautiful September morning for Pope Francis to visit Washington. Kudos to Pope Francis for speaking in English at the White House You can read his speech here. It’s good, but I wish he had woven in a mention of defending the unborn and the persecuted Christians around the world when speaking about our responsibility for the vulnerable. I realize he was speaking in a political setting as a head of state, but it would also have been good for... Read more

With Pope Francis coming to America I can’t believe how polarized Conservatives and Liberals are. Why can’t people be smart enough to realize that both sides want the best and affirm some things that are good and true, and both sides have blind spots where they think they’re right, but they’re actually off beam. The value of a papal visit is that a pope speaks for the Catholic Church and therefore brings an international, historical and spiritual viewpoint to the discussion.... Read more

Deacon Kandra features a video of the closing liturgy of the women’s ordination conference that just concluded in Philadelphia. Go here if you would like a glimpse of their liturgical style. I should warn those who are enthusiastic about the extraordinary form of the Mass that they will probably be disappointed. While Acts of the Apostasy reports here that one of the speakers at the conference said women priests are a virus that should infect the church. Yucch! I’ve written extensively... Read more