Daily Theology
Pope
Happy Are the Poor. (Yes. Really.)
Just days after his election the Cardinal-Formerly-Known-As-Bergoglio commented that he made the unprecedented choice of “Francis” for his papal name because he was inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, whom he calls “the man of poverty, the man of peace, the man who loves and protects creation.” He then went on further to comment, “How … Continue reading
A Prayerful Church for the Poor: Pope Francis on Encountering Christ in Prayer and Solidarity
By Michael Rubbelke Like many, I’ve been excited about Pope Francis from the moment he stepped out onto the balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square. Besides his off-the-cuff homilies, audiences, and Tweets, I’ve been delighted with the gestures which indicate his commitment to poverty and encountering others: paying his own hotel bill, celebrating the Holy Thursday … Continue reading
Theological Shark Week IV: “Pope Francis, Theology, and the Church of the Poor”
In the weeks since the election of Cardinal Bergoglio as Pope Francis, the world has been struck by how the new pope has comported himself. Everything from his sartorial decisions (dropping the ermine-lined mozzetta and the red shoes) to his living arrangements (paying his hotel bill in person, staying in the Casa Santa Marta instead … Continue reading
Vatican III?
I’d like to begin with a disclaimer. This story might be a moving target, and I am not a journalist. But I’ll do my best here. According to a twitter feed claiming to be the official feed of Jean-Louis Cardinal Tauran, Pope Francis is planning to call an ecumenical council. It’s a few days late … Continue reading
Confronting Our Moral Failure: 10 Years After the Iraq War
“NO TO WAR”! War is not always inevitable. It is always a defeat for humanity….And what are we to say of the threat of a war which could strike the people of Iraq, the land of the Prophets, a people already sorely tried by more than twelve years of embargo? War is never just another … Continue reading
The People of God and the Bishop of Rome
First impressions are important. I must confess that when Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio’s election was announced, my initial response was: who? Since then I’ve been sifting through the many news reports (and memes) about Pope Francis as the media, secular and Catholic, work to make this new pope known to the world. Francis’ first address … Continue reading
What’s in a Name?
Habemus Papam: Francis I. Some early speculation has been going around about whether the first Jesuit pope has chosen his papal name from Francis of Assisi or Francis Xavier. Francis of Assisi may reflect the new pope’s reported spirituality of simplicity and care for the poor. On the other hand, Francis Xavier is in keeping … Continue reading
Nanni Moretti’s “We Have a Pope”
I have been meaning to see Nanni Moretti’s film We Have a Pope ever since I first saw the trailer a year or so ago. The basic premise of the film is that a cardinal, on being elected pope, has a nervous breakdown before being introduced to the crowds in St. Peter’s Square. The Vatican … Continue reading
Downton Abbey’s Finale and the Tragedy of Benedict XVI
I would caution anyone who did not see last night’s episode to stop reading at this point. So many SPOILERS. First of all, let me apologize for the absence of a Downton reflection last week. I woke early Monday morning, ready to take on the exciting two-hour Sunday night episode, when I saw the news … Continue reading
The Bishop of Rome: Remembering the Local Church
In January, I spent eleven days in Italy with Loras College undergraduates. While in Rome we attended a papal general audience, and I was struck not only by the diversity of people who had gathered from around the world, but also by the number of Italians in enthusiastic attendance. I commented on this to our … Continue reading
