A statement from Archbishop Mark O'Toole, of the Archdiocese of Cardiff-Menevia, on Pope Leo's appointment of Bishop Nicholas Hudson as the new Bishop of Plymouth. @dioceseofplymouth.bsky.social @austeni.bsky.social

"What happened at the 2025 conclave, and what can it tell us about the path the Catholic Church is now on?" @austeni.bsky.social reviews two 'insta-books' offering two very different views of the new pope: www.commonwealmagazine.org/brunson-chri...

The Early Edition

In Christopher White's 'insta-book' on Leo's early papacy, Pope Francis is a central figure. In Matthew Bunson's biography of the new pope, Francis hardly exists.

commonwealmagazine.org

Asked what US can do to prepare for Leo’s pontificate, Tobin cites Bergoglio’s talk before becoming Pope about “letting Jesus go out and not to keep him locked in a self-referential church…Pope Leo sees the world differently than most people in the US” because he knows what it means to ‘go out.’”

Good morning from the terrace of the Maria Bambina overlooking the square. I’ll be live on ⁦‪BBC News channel after Mass begins at 10am (UK 9am) to discuss with ⁦‪Maryam Mashiri‬⁩ what to expect as #conclave2025 kicks off here in Rome.

The battle for the Catholic Church’s future will not be over doctrine-The future of the Church lies now, as in the early centuries, in its witness from below, in its capacity… www.ft.com/content/57dc... @austeni.bsky.social @financialtimes.com

The battle for the Catholic Church’s future will not be over doctrine

In choosing the next pope, disagreements will be over the Church’s ‘style’ — its way of being, culture and mindset

ft.com

Super article by @austeni.bsky.social on whether the conclave will look towards a path of authority or humility (potestas aut humilitas) next week.

The battle for the Catholic Church’s future will not be over doctrine

In choosing the next pope, disagreements will be over the Church’s ‘style’ — its way of being, culture and mindset

on.ft.com

John Sabapathy@jwwsabapathy.bsky.social · last yr.

What a humane, and so political, homily stressing a gospel of mercy & welcome, cultures of encounter & solidarity against cultures of waste, & appeals against war. A striking message for conclave, & highly Franciscan, on both sides.

The simple letter summoning cardinals to Rome to meet each day in the “general congregations” beginning this morning. Over-80s free to attend or not. In the absence of a pope, this is the temporary governing authority of the worldwide Church.

Para celebrar a edição portuguesa do meu *Em Primeiro Lugar Pertencer a Deus* darei uma palestra no dia 10 de abril em Lisboa sobre O LEGADO DO PAPA FRANCISCO E O FUTURO DA IGREJA. Vemo-nos lá! Detalhes e para reservar seu lugar: pontosj.pt/participar/a...

Austen Ivereigh - Ponto SJ - Faça parte deste projeto

pontosj.pt

#Ukraine President Zelenskyy Sends Vatican List of POWs in Russia and Speaks by Phone with Cardinal Parolin Wishing #Pope Francis Recovery www.catholicnewsworld.com/2025/03/ukra...

Ukraine President Zelenskyy Sends Vatican List of POWs in Russia and Speaks by Phone with Cardinal Parolin Wishing Pope Francis Recovery

Catholic Church, Catholic News World, Vatican, Pope Francis, Breaking, Pope News, c na, Catholic Headlines,

catholicnewsworld.com

Beautiful reflection on today’s readings by Dom Henry Wansbrough OSB via Universalis app.

Big English Benedictine news announced by Abbot of Belmont Abbey in Herefordshire: the monastic community of St Gregory’s (formerly Downside Abbey) is moving to Belmont. Abbot Brendan Thomas says: “Whilst formally we will remain separate communities, in practice we will live a common life together.”

Delighted to present a new film, "Faith, Ecology and Hope", conceived in response to the murder of Fr. Marcelo Pérez, a Tzotzil indigenous Catholic priest from Mexico (we had been collaborating with him at the time of his killing in in Oct 2024): www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0NG...

Faith, Ecology and Hope

YouTube video by Laudato Si' Research Institute

youtube.com

Pope update: “condition continues to improve ”: needs less oxygen, suggesting that lung function improving. Condition has moved from "critical" to "complex", but "further days of clinical stability are needed to resolve the prognosis.” Went into the chapel today, and worked.

Medical expert on Pope’s current state: risk of sepsis remains, but “definitely potential” for recovery. Many clinical indications that his condition “might be reversible.” www.ncronline.org/vatican/vati...

Pope Francis still in critical state but slightly improving

Pope Francis remains in a critical state on his 11th day of hospitalization, but the Vatican said on Feb. 24 his conditions are slightly improving. A medical specialist suggested there is hope for Fra...

ncronline.org

This morning, Pope’s people say he rested well “the whole night” which, together with last night’s medical update showing improvement, is further cause for hope that they’re getting on top of the infection. 🕯️

Some good news: a “slight improvement” in the Pope’s critical state. No more asthmatic episodes; renal issue not an issue; oxygen continues to be given through nasal cannula but with “slightly reduced flow”. Too soon to draw conclusions on prognosis. But 👍🏽 has “resumed work”.

Francis’s people say the night passed well, he slept and is now resting. It feels knife-edge today. Experts say he shows first signs of sepsis, but there are positives, and he can still pull through. Prognosis remains uncertain, the situation critical. We keep our candles lit.🕯️🕯️🕯️

Pope health latest: blood tests show slight reduction of inflammation, otherwise condition unchanged. He read newspapers, worked with close collaborators, received Eucharist before lunch. Afternoon: Italian premier Giorgia Meloni popped in for 20 minutes of private conversation.

Many people don't know that Pope Pius XII's final act as pope was to order the US bishops to publish a statement against racism that they had been dithering over for months www.cambridge.org/core/service...

Br. Dr. Ken Homan, SJ@kenhomansj.bsky.social · last yr.

In 1947 Cardinal Ritter racially integrated all of the Catholic schools in the STL archdiocese. White parents formed a group & asked the Vatican to intervene. The Vatican refused. Ritter told oppositional Catholics that they would be excommunicated. Food for thought given our present situation.

Pope health update shows he now has pneumonia requiring “further drug therapy”. The polymicrobial infection on top of bronchiectasis and asthmatic bronchitis “makes therapeutic treatment more complex”. But he is in good spirits. We pray for him and his medics. 🙏 🕯️

The news from Rome remains worrying, if not (yet) alarming. We pray for Pope Francis, for the treatment to be effective, for the team dedicated to him. We pray for his serenity and comfort, that he experience God’s tender touch. 🙏🏽

It is *very* unusual for a pope to do this. Magisterial in tone and form (numbered paragraphs, quoting papal teachings) and targeted (referring to Trump policies and Vance’s justifications), this letter means to leave *no doubt* about where the Catholic Church stands. www.vatican.va/content/fran...

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” St Paul to the Hebrews.

Donkey dentist day.

I asked ChatGBT how to become synodal and got a good summary back.

DDF prefect Card. Fernández tells Alfa y Omega (Spain) that #Rupnik probe has concluded first, evidence-gathering stage. Now they are creating an ‘independent tribunal’ to prosecute judicial case. Search is on for right people to staff it.

It is fruitful to read today’s Gospel in the light of the Pope’s communications day message yesterday. The signs of the Gospel proclaimed and the signs of a communication that proclaims it …

Pope to communicators: 1. Promote a communication that can heal the wounds of our humanity. 2. Make room for heartfelt trust. Be witnesses and promoters of a non-aggressive communication. 3. Tell stories steeped in hope … and strive to write together the history of our future.