Heidi Schlumpf

Surprise, hope, excitement and pride were reflected in many of the initial reactions to Cardinal Robert Prevost on May 8 emerging on the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica as Pope Leo XIV.

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.

NCR analyzed the biographies, background, articles, speeches, homilies and media interviews of members of the College of Cardinals, to provide an in-depth look into the views of the men who will select the new pope.

Listen: Heidi, Daniel and David look back on the papacy of Pope Francis. They discuss what comes next, including the conclave. Then they look ahead to consider how Francis' legacy might be carried forward in the next papacy. 

Although Francis moved women into leadership roles in the Vatican, he continued to exclude women from ordained ministry in the church.

Lay Catholics in the U.S. reflected on Pope Francis' legacy as a pastor who sought out those on the peripheries and tried to make the Catholic Church a more welcoming space for the marginalized.

Co-hosts discuss the Trump administration's tariffs, and how pastors can emphasize climate change. Heidi interviews Stephanie Clary, NCR's environment editor, about the 10th anniversary of the pope's environmental encyclical.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is set to question Brian Burch, a persistent critic of Pope Francis, in a confirmation hearing to serve as the U.S. ambassador to the Holy See. 

Podcast panelists discuss recent actions of the Trump administration that violate civil rights and challenge judicial oversight.

Women leaders in Catholic parishes, schools and other ministries are generally satisfied in their work, but many report challenges of sexism, according to a new report from the Diocese of San Diego that surveyed the leaders.

Listen: This Francis Effect episode features a discussion on the Trump administration's threats to education. Heidi Schlumpf interviews Rev. Angela Denker about Christian nationalism.

Georgetown University cites its Catholic and Jesuit mission in rebuffing the acting U.S. attorney's threats and criticism of diversity, equity and inclusion programs and curriculum. 

NCR's Heidi Schlumpf shares a recipe for  broccoli cheddar soup from the blog "I heart vegetables." She says it's a family favorite.

A group of bishops, including two cardinals, will pray for migrants in an online novena sponsored by the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.

Listen: Daniel, Heidi, and David look at the GOP's recent attacks on Medicaid, and join their prayers with the world for the health of Pope Francis. Heidi interviews NCR's Shannon Evans about Lenten spirituality.

Majorities of U.S. Catholics support progressive policies on issues such as abortion and gay marriage, according to a new Pew survey. Still, twice as many Catholics describe themselves as conservative than identify as liberal.

The Department of Education is threatening the federal funding of any school, including Catholic ones, that considers race in any aspect of student life. Already, 185 students are losing scholarship money from a canceled $6.8 million grant that attempted to address teacher shortages in Minnesota.

Listen: Co-host and NCR senior correspondent Heidi Schlumpf moderates a roundtable of four theologians as they react to President Trump's first month back in the Oval Office.

More than a third of Trump's Cabinet nominees are Catholic. Three — Sean Duffy, Marco Rubio and John Ratcliffe — have already been confirmed by the Senate. Here are brief profiles of all nine of Trump's Catholic picks.

Listen: Heidi, Daniel and David discuss how attacks on USAID affect charities and NGOs; they look at the vice president's theological comments; Heidi interviews Charlene Howard, the new executive director of Pax Christi USA.