National Catholic Reporter

The Independent News Source

Vatican

What’s in store for the new pope's first days?

If it hasn’t happened by the time you are reading this newspaper, sometime very soon the Catholic church will have a new pope. Naturally the world will be waiting to find out what kind of leader he’s likely...

More

The complex legacy of Benedict XVI

Now that Pope Benedict has granted his own wish to step down, the debate over his legacy is officially open.

More

Francis talks about women and the faith

 | 

Catholics scrutinizing ever papal utterance for hints about how Pope Francis will view the roles of women in the church will certainly be studying his first comments on women, made today in his general Wednesday audience.

He spoke about “Resurrection of Jesus as the center of the Christian message that has resounded since the beginning and has been handed down so that it may reach us today.”

“The Resurrection of Christ is our strength!” Francis said.

Francis at Easter: transformation, world peace

 | 

 In his first Urbi et Orbi message of his pontificate this Easter Sunday, Pope Francis, echoing the words of his namesake, invited people of all ages, from all walks of life to “ask the risen Jesus, who turns death into life, to change hatred into love, vengeance into forgiveness, war into peace”.

His Easter message stressed the need for transformation in the world, especially the need to end warfare and build peace.

Francis feet washing sends signals across the world

 | 

In yet another rich use of symbols, an emerging preaching pattern of Pope Francis’ pontificate, he included women and Muslims in one of the most important liturgical celebrations in the Catholic calendar year.

Kneeling at the feet of 12 juvenile inmates in a Rome detention center, he washed and kissed their feet.  The group included two women and two Muslims and ranged in age from 14 to 21.

Francis’ calls to humility and service have been two hallmarks in is young pontificate.

Francis washes, kisses feet of two women, two Muslims

 | 

Francis hope note

Pope Francis today kneeled before 12 juvenile detainees in a Rome detention center during a Holy Thursday ceremony. He washed, dried and kissed their feet. Two in the group were women, two were Muslims, according to the Vatican.

The symbolism of these gestures will certainly move quickly beyond the Catholic church.

Bergoglio criticized church leadership before conclave

 | 

More evidence today the church’s cardinals knew what they were going to get when they elected Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio as pope, as a serious reformer. There is a report this morning, through Cuba’s Cardinal Jaime Ortega, that Bergoglio offered strong criticism of church leadership and direction before the cardinals elected him the new pontiff.

Pages

How Pope Francis spent his first 24 hours after conclave

Pope Francis has been busy since his election, and he has used his activity to further the image of a warm, simple pastor.

More

Cardinals elect Pope Francis, Argentinean Jesuit Jorge Mario Bergoglio

The Roman Catholic church has its first Latin American pope: Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, Argentina, now to be known as Pope Francis.

More

We need a pope able to think, willing to learn

Essay: We can't forget the advice of Teresa of Avila, who wrote that given the choice between a saintly confessor and one who is a good theologian, trust the theologian.

More

Sisters' Stories; read more

NCR Email Alerts

 

In This Issue

June 7-20, 2013

June7-cover.jpg

Not all of our content is online. Subscribe to receive all the news and features you won't find anywhere else.