Outrages of Recent Weeks. In the past fortnight, developments in Rome have caused grave scandal for many of the faithful: an officially-listed LGBTQ pilgrimage held liturgies at the Church of the Gesù and then processed through the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica during the Jubilee rites;¹ the Holy Father’s blessing of a large block…
Prayer Pope Benedict XVI once asked the faithful to pray for him, “that I may not flee for fear of the wolves.” ¹ Those words revealed a man aware of the spiritual battle around the papacy. The same is true now. Every pope, no matter his gifts or limitations, stands at the center of immense…
VIII. Cautions When speaking about a new pope, it is easy to slide into extremes. Some voices rush to canonize him as a saint after his first gestures. Others condemn him after a single misstep. Catholic influencers often feed this pattern, because controversy and strong rhetoric draw attention. Journalists, too, thrive on dramatic narratives. But…
VII. Personal Observations: Holiness Over Time The world we live in is impatient. Political leaders are judged by the “first 100 days.” Pundits look for immediate signals, critics demand instant proof. But the Church is not built on soundbites or quarterly reports. Holiness does not unfold on a stopwatch. It matures over time, through trials,…
The Name of Leo: Continuity and His First Words When Robert Prevost stepped onto the loggia of Saint Peter’s Basilica on May 8, 2025, the announcement of his chosen name startled and delighted the faithful. Leo the Fourteenth. By selecting Leo, he placed himself in continuity with some of the Church’s most towering figures. Papal names are never…
Notable Lived Experiences (Peru) (lived response pastoral ministry) Peru was more than a mission field for Robert Prevost. It was a crucible where spiritual reality, beauty, danger, and the miraculous all pressed upon a man formed to be a shepherd. As friends on this journey, we can walk through three moments from his Peruvian life—some…