See Historical Records Documenting the Pope’s Creole Roots in New Orleans

See Historical Records Documenting the Pope’s Creole Roots in New Orleans

The Vatican conclave surprised the world this week by selecting the first American pope, a native of Chicago. Soon after, a respected genealogist surprised the world by revealing that the new pope’s heritage connected him to far more strands of the American experience than previously known. Robert Francis Prevost, 69, who took the name Pope … Read more

Pope Leo XIV Calls for End to War in First Sunday Blessing as Pontiff

Pope Leo XIV Calls for End to War in First Sunday Blessing as Pontiff

Pope Leo XIV on Sunday returned to the balcony where he was presented to the world as the new leader of the Roman Catholic church just days ago, using his first Sunday address to the faithful to call for peace. “Never again war,” he said to a roar from the massive crowd that had gathered … Read more

Pope’s Childhood in a Changing Chicago Tells a Story of Catholic America

Pope’s Childhood in a Changing Chicago Tells a Story of Catholic America

Before he was Pope Leo XIV, or even Father Bob, he was the youngest of the three Prevost boys in the pews at St. Mary of the Assumption Parish on the far edge of Chicago’s southern border. The parish was bustling when the future pope and his family were parishioners there in the 1950s and … Read more

Pope Leo XIV, First American Pontiff, Will Face a Fractured American Church

Pope Leo XIV, First American Pontiff, Will Face a Fractured American Church

The last several months for American Catholics have been a story about the ascent of the Catholic right. In January, a parade of right-wing Catholic power began streaming into President Trump’s remade Washington. Just weeks later came the hospitalization and decline of Pope Francis, who often seemed to stand alone in offering a different vision … Read more