Catholicism

Pope Francis leading the weekly general audience in Vatican City.

Why Did a Progressive Pope Use a Gay Slur? Why Did a Progressive Pope Use a Gay Slur?

Given Francis’s apparent embrace of LGBTQ people, many found his use of the offensive term frociaggine confounding—blame fragile masculinity.

Jun 11, 2024 / Michael F. Pettinger

Pope Francis presides with the College of Cardinals for the opening of the General Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on October 4, 2023, in Vatican City.

The Pope Wants Us to Talk About Sexuality and Climate Change The Pope Wants Us to Talk About Sexuality and Climate Change

In his new text and recently convened synod, he’s encouraging dialogue. It’s going to take a lot of work.

Oct 11, 2023 / Michael F. Pettinger

Justyna Wydrzyńska

The Conviction of Justyna Wydrzyńska The Conviction of Justyna Wydrzyńska

The Polish activist became the first person in Europe to be convicted for helping another woman get an abortion—and galvanized a movement behind her.

Jun 23, 2023 / Feature / Rebecca Grant

Pope Francis and President Felix Tshiekedi address a crowd

The Pope Delivers a Clear Message in the Democratic Republic of Congo The Pope Delivers a Clear Message in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Francis’s visit sought to address violence and corruption in the Central African state. The violent and the corrupt lined up for an audience.

Feb 6, 2023 / Hugh Kinsella Cunningham and Nicolas Niarchos

The Chinese national flag flies in front of the Wangfujing Catholic Church

The Vatican’s Disgraceful China Deal Ought to End The Vatican’s Disgraceful China Deal Ought to End

By renewing a secretive agreement with Beijing, the Vatican is dangerously close to being complicit in the Chinese government’s deepening rights abuses.

Sep 30, 2022 / Maya Wang

Brent Bozell and William Buckley in 1954.

Theocracy Now! The Forgotten Prophet of the Resurgent Right Theocracy Now! The Forgotten Prophet of the Resurgent Right

Overshadowed during his lifetime by his famous brother-in-law William F. Buckley, L. Brent Bozell Jr. has proved the true prophet of the American right.

Aug 9, 2022 / Column / Jeet Heer

A History of the Partition Through the Eyes of Appalachian Nuns

A History of the Partition Through the Eyes of Appalachian Nuns A History of the Partition Through the Eyes of Appalachian Nuns

Jyoti Thottam's Sisters of Mokama, tells the story of missionaries in the Indian state of Bihar, who bore witness to the tumultuous era, offering a different way to understand the ...

Jul 19, 2022 / Books & the Arts / Zoya Qureshi

Abortion rights activist holding sign

The Supreme Court and the Church: A Conversation With Frances Kissling The Supreme Court and the Church: A Conversation With Frances Kissling

In the wake of the Supreme Court leak, the former president of Catholics for a Free Choice discusses the moral obligation to take care of women in need of abortions.

May 18, 2022 / Q&A / Claudia Dreifus

Graham Greene’s God

Graham Greene’s God Graham Greene’s God

As a new biography shows, the British novelist was always haunted by, and uncertain about, his own faith.

May 4, 2021 / Books & the Arts / John Banville

Leo Brent Bozell IV

Meet the Bozells, America’s First Family of Right-Wing Violence Meet the Bozells, America’s First Family of Right-Wing Violence

From union busting and cross burning to the January 6 riot, the Buckley-Bozell clan is the embodiment of reactionary lawlessness.

Feb 22, 2021 / Jeet Heer

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