Christopher White

After four years as Vatican correspondent, he toasts the spots where "the living tradition of the church is experienced through the people of God." 

As Pope Leo settles into the job, he signals what's ahead for the new papacy, taking action on the vision he sketched out in a 500-word speech.

Pope Leo met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on May 19.

Pope Leo XIV, in his inaugural Mass, cast a vision of a united church that offers God's unconditional love to everyone. He said that "we still see too much discord, too many wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, the fear of difference, and an economic paradigm that exploits the earth’s resources and marginalizes the poorest."

In a moment reminiscent of Pope John Paul II's 1978 installation Mass, the new pope said, in Italian, "Be not afraid! Welcome the call of the church and of Christ the Lord." 

 During a Mass for cardinals, Scripture was read in both English and Spanish — a nod to the new pope's missionary work in both the United States and Peru.  

The challenges for the Catholic Church in Chicago, where Robert Prevost grew up, are a microcosm of the gargantuan problems facing the worldwide Catholic Church that the new Pope Leo XIV must address.

The new pontiff is former Cardinal Robert Prevost, 69, a Chicago-born Augustinian friar who previously headed the influential Vatican Dicastery for Bishops. 

No man received 89 votes, or two-thirds of the 133 cardinal electors.

No man received 89 votes, or two-thirds of the 133 cardinal electors.

The chimney on the Sistine Chapel is up, and voting to elect the next pope will begin on Wednesday afternoon, May 7. Here is the National Catholic Reporter's final roundup of the 12 leading front-runners.

He's a possible contender to succeed Pope Francis, but says he does not want the job.

Synodality may be the future, but pre-conclave meetings lack synodal style. 

Marseille's Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline is not widely considered a top-tier contender as cardinals approach the May 7 conclave to elect a new pope. But the French cardinal is still worth taking seriously.

At age 60, Franciscan Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa bears an undeniably impressive resume. And yet, his relatively youthful age is likely what will rule him out as a potential pope in this conclave.

German Jesuit Fr. Hans Zollner urges "a clear message from the cardinals and from the newly elected pope that the church is set to continue and strengthen what has been achieved so far." 

As secretary general of the Synod of Bishops, Maltese Cardinal Mario Grech oversaw the Vatican meetings that advanced Francis' vision of synodality — a church where everyone participates in decisions and the mission.

Cardinal Gérald Lacroix, archbishop of Quebec City, emerged as a major powerbroker during the Pope Francis era. Yet sexual misconduct allegations — even though effectively cleared — may cast a shadow.

It is typically absurd to think of an American as pope. But in this conclave, a Chicago-born Augustinian friar who has spent much of his life outside of the United States is worthy of serious consideration.

The likely top candidate for the conservative wing of the College of Cardinals is Esztergom–Budapest Cardinal Peter Erdo, known for embracing the anti-migrant views of Hungary's prime minister, Viktor Orban.