Michael O'Connell

The 2022 final between France and Argentina, widely considered one of the greatest World Cup games ever played, was decided by a penalty kick shootout. So if it happens again this year, spare a prayer for the pressure these players are under — and ask yourself how you would respond, whatever the outcome.

In a time when patriotism feels complicated, the World Cup has given us a chance to root for something overtly, unapologetically American. Until doing so — yet again — felt tainted.

The soccer tournament "can demonstrate the pleasures of connection and offer us spaces to come together in community," writes Michael O'Connor.

The world's most-watched sporting event is famous for athletes like Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal, but the grit of lesser-known players representing small but scrappy countries is where the real inspiration lies.

Inspired by Pope Leo's link between soccer and the spiritual life, Michael O'Connell will be covering the World Cup for NCR. He'll review the most spectacular moments and note the suffering and injustices also present.

"Wake Up Dead Man," the third film in Rian Johnson's ongoing "Knives Out" series, emits a Catholic cosmology that transcends cinematic caricatures.

In Everything Is Tuberculosis, bestselling author John Green educates the everyday reader about how this disease affects specific individuals and their communities. "I would give anything for my book to be less timely," he says.

While MJ Lenderman uses religious language throughout, this is not an album about spiritual longing, but about storytelling. It is up to the audience to determine if redemption is on offer here.