What's next for the Catholic Church?
The papacy post-Francis
Hi Religion Unplugged readers,
Now that Pope Francis’ funeral has passed, all questions about the papacy and Catholicism as a whole point toward the upcoming conclave — which begins on May 7.
As Executive Editor Clemente Lisi writes in today’s top story, “The Catholic Church is bigger than one single pope, but talk of Francis’ legacy lingers as the church finds itself at a crossroads. It is also something the next pope will have to contend with.”
Questions remain about slight doctrinal changes, sensational news cycles and more.
This week, Lisi takes a deep dive into five issues that will be crucial for the next pope — and elsewhere shares six things to know about the papal conclave in the upcoming days.
Check out these great stories and stay tuned for more important papal coverage.
After Francis, What Now For The Catholic Church?
(ANALYSIS) With Pope Francis’ funeral in the rearview mirror, the focus at the Vatican shifts to the forthcoming papal conclave and the process of electing the next pontiff. The Catholic Church is bigger than one single pope, but talk of Francis’ legacy lingers as the church finds itself at a crossroads. It is also something the next pope will have to contend with. by Clemente Lisi
How A Pope Is Chosen: 6 Things To Know About The Conclave
(EXPLAINER) Pope Francis’ death and funeral will usher in a period of transition for the Catholic Church, with cardinals gathering at the Vatican for the papal conclave, the secretive voting that will result in the election of a new pope. A conclave is the special gathering of cardinals for the purpose of electing a pope. The next conclave is not expected to begin before May 5. by Clemente Lisi
Glory and Grace: Siena’s 14th Century Masters Shine At London’s National Gallery
(REVIEW) With glittering treasures from Siena’s golden age at every turn, this outstanding exhibition at The National Gallery in London is the first outside of continental Europe to consider the major role that the Italian city played in the development of Western European art in the early decades of the 14th century. Siena was united in its devotion to the Virgin Mary, who was believed to be the city’s personal defender and celestial queen. by David Trigg
‘Shadow of God’ Subverts Exorcism Cliches With Tired Anti-Religious Cliches
(REVIEW) “Shadow of God” is stuck between several different possible movies and doesn’t commit to any of them effectively. It could have been an entertainingly self-aware exorcism movie, but it has too few scenes where it embraces that winking glee for the cliches. It could have subverted the cliches with its own original ideas. Even if its ideas weren’t original it could have made up for it with thoughtful and nuanced dialogue to explore familiar ground. by Joseph Holmes
‘Death Is A Part Of Living’: Q&A With Pastor Dr. Fran Tilton Shelton
The Rev. Dr. Fran Tilton Shelton’s ministry as a Presbyterian (PCUSA) pastor has always been focused on pastoral care and grieving — so much so that her late husband Bob humorously called her “Funeral Fran.” Now a parish associate at the First Presbyterian Church of Dallas, Shelton is also a spiritual director and the co-founder of Faith & Grief Ministries. by Elizabeth Eisenstadt Evans
After First 100 Days, White Evangelicals Continue To Support Trump In Large Numbers
One hundred days into President Donald Trump’s second term and white evangelicals continue to be among his strongest supporters, a new study reveals. The findings, put together by Pew Research Center, found that 72% of them approve of the way Trump is currently handling his job as president. That level of support, however, isn’t shared by Americans of other Christian denominations. by Clemente Lisi
‘A Pope Among The People’: Mourners Across Rome Bid Farewell To Francis
A crowd of 250,000 gathered in a sun-drenched St. Peter’s Square on Saturday to bid a final farewell to Pope Francis, who was remembered as having had “an open heart towards everyone.” The Argentine-born pope — the first Latin American and first Jesuit pontiff — died this past Monday at the age of 88 after suffering from cardiac arrest while recovering from pneumonia. by Clemente Lisi
Pope Francis Will Find Eternal Rest In Historic Roman Basilica
The Basilica of St. Mary Major is one of the four major papal basilicas located in Rome and the largest church dedicated to the Virgin Mary in the city. Its artistic splendor, architectural grandeur and storied past make it one of the most significant houses of worship in all of Christianity. It will now also serve as Pope Francis’ final resting spot. by Clemente Lisi
On Religion: Surging Catholic Conversions Signal Quiet Revival in a Secular Age
(ANALYSIS) Truth is, many parishes in Europe are growing. But others are dying. As one theologian noted in a 1969 German radio interview, Catholicism was entering a time of painful decline in the modern world. But that was not the end of the story. Easter follows Good Friday. by Terry Mattingly
Faith, Fury And The 51st State: Trump and Religion Reshape Canada’s Election
(ANALYSIS) Canadians are roused by the U.S. president's musings on Canada as America's 51st state and driven apoplectic by his imposition of tariffs on the country. Canada is also a very secular country, but Trump's asseverations have re-awakened these currents and revived memories of 19th century American moves to annex Canada. This renewed animosity is unlikely to end soon. by Paul Marshall
‘The Soul Of Nature’: Springtime In New York With Caspar David Friedrich At The Met
(REVIEW) The end of winter in New York sometimes feels rife with melancholy. A few spring days taunt with the warmth and new life to come, but the city is still plagued by the dregs of winter. The only appropriate response, if that melancholy has become personal, is to channel that solemn energy into something productive — like going to see the exhibition “The Soul of Nature” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. by Jillian Cheney
Writer Mario Vargas Llosa Remembered: From Catholic Devotion to Defiant Agnosticism
(ANALYSIS) Peruvian writer Mario Vargas Llosa, 2010 Nobel Laureate in Literature, died in Lima on April 13. His critics and followers have spent the last few days and weeks analyzing the work and legacy of this renowned intellectual, politician, novelist and essayist — arguably one of the most important figures in contemporary world literature. Vargas Llosa is often regarded as the last of the great writers from the Latin American “Boom of the 1960s.” by Reynaldo Aragon
Mizrahi Jewish College Students Don’t Fit An Easy Israel-Palestine Narrative
When Jessica Yeroshalmi started her political science degree at Baruch College in New York six years ago, she was surprised to learn that some students in her classes had no idea there were Jews with roots in the Middle East. Yeroshalmi’s parents fled from Iran to New York after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. It was only once Yeroshalmi went to college that she realized that her peers had an Ashkenazi-centric image of what it means to be Jewish. by Samuel Eli Shepherd
‘Voice For The Voiceless’: The Dalai Lama’s Struggle For Tibet And Religious Survival
(REVIEW) The Dalai Lama has hopes for Tibet, but as someone who knows the feeling of having governance forced upon him all too well, he does not say that these conditions are the absolutely correct ones. Instead, he makes clear that neither the CCP nor he should decide the destiny of the Tibetan people. While the Dalai Lama expresses disappointment at the fact that he will likely not return to Tibet. by Matthew Peterson
⛪️ ‘The Pope Is Dead!’: News Outlets Prepared In Advance To Cover Francis’ Passing 🔌
When the leader of the world’s estimated 1.4 billion Catholics passes, it’s always banner-headline news. by Bobby Ross Jr.
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Thanks again for reading!
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