Are we really in the final stretch of the pontificate? The question has been circulating for some time and has become even more persistent since Pope Francis had his first hospitalization and surgery more than a year ago. Pope Francis, however, wanted to demonstrate with facts that his pontificate is not in a waning [...]
Probably, the biggest mistake that has been made in trying to interpret Pope Francis is to look for a standard criterion for his decisions. Because, looking at the facts, Pope Francis’s only standard is the achievement of the short-term objectives he sets for himself. There is no long-term criterion, and there is no defined [...]
The news that Pope Francis could establish papal secrecy in the synodal debate has created a bit of a stir. For now, the regulations of the Synod have not yet been published, and there could be some procedural changes, especially regarding the methods of participation in the debate and voting. However, the fact [...]
Pope Francis’ in-flight press conferences must always be followed carefully. Speaking spontaneously and without filters, Pope Francis shows himself candidly, explains his reasoning, and highlights what he plans to do. Pope Francis has always said that he does not like talking to journalists and that he rarely did so when he was the archbishop [...]
Pope Francis’ words about “Mother Russia,” and Catherine and Peter the Great, addressed to a group of young Russians via videoconference on August 25, were not appreciated in Ukraine. There have been government protests, protests from the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, and a Vatican reply by the nunciature and then from the Holy [...]
Last week, Pope Francis surprisingly announced that he is writing a second part of Laudato Si’ to bring it up to date with current issues. Subsequently, the Holy See Press Office specified that it was a further environmental update on problems. It is interesting news because it says something about this pontificate.
First of all, [...]
Some compare the pontificate of Pope Francis to an epochal change that cannot be perceived by a “bubble” of observers. It is true that Pope Francis, in these ten years of his pontificate, has revolutionized many things, primarily based on his practical sense and his way of seeing things. It is not true, however, [...]
Pope Francis’ letter to the priests of the Diocese of Rome on August 7 arrived almost unexpectedly. Nothing suggested that the Pope needed to write to the priests of the diocese he presides over, and it was not an special occasion. And that is why the letter is particularly relevant. Because, as always, [...]
The trip to Portugal for World Youth Day, and the press conference on the plane, are the Vatican news with the most significant exposure in the media. Yet, last week, a rumor, an appointment, and a data point, showed how Pope Francis is directing a definitive change of pace, once again centralizing control on [...]
During the month of July, Pope Francis was not expected to have audiences, with some exceptions. But, in the last part of the month, he had meetings with young pilgrims who passed through Rome before going to World Youth Day. Monsignor Leonardo Sapienza, the regent of the Papal Household, who in recent years has [...]