An extraordinary period for the modern church ended with Francis presiding over the funeral of his retired predecessor. Some conservatives found the ceremony too modest for their standard-bearer.
Author: JASON HOROWITZ
Pope Francis’ Homily for Benedict Calls Him a ‘Faithful Friend’ of Jesus
Pope Francis’ short speech honored the former pontiff, whose life’s work was meditating on the life of Jesus, and who faced many challenges before retiring in 2013.
Benedict’s Death Leaves Catholic Conservatives Bereft
Even after his resignation as pope, traditionalists invoked Benedict’s name and sought to draw him into internecine ideological wars. Now he is gone.
Pope Francis’ Christmas Address Bemoans ‘Grave Famine of Peace’
Pope Francis urged the tens of thousands of faithful in St. Peter’s Square to pray for Ukraine and for others suffering in conflicts around the world.
How Does Pompeii Maintain Its Ruins? Hungry Sheep.
The archaeological park of Pompeii has found a low-tech way to prevent the site from being overrun by vegetation: hungry sheep.
An Italian Village Hit the Jackpot. Will That Save or Destroy It?
Tiny Livemmo won nearly 20 million euros to reverse its decline. Figuring out how to spend it is a big job, but someone’s got to do it.
Catholic Church Issues Guidelines for Ethical Investing
In the midst of a criminal trial of 10 church officials on charges of financial impropriety, the church put forth a long-delayed document that lays out standards for avoiding improper investments.
A Vatican Auditor Says He Dug Up Too Much Dirt, and Was Buried
Libero Milone is suing the Vatican for wrongful dismissal after he said he found cardinals siphoning off funds. The Vatican has hit him with a criminal investigation of its own.
A Messy Marital Split Tarnishes a Roman Soccer Legend
Francesco Totti and Ilary Blasi once shared a storybook love. Now she’s hiding his Rolexes, and he’s holding hostage her Jimmy Choos.