Thomas Reese

The Trump administration, like barbarians and terrorists, is capable of destroying but not building, says Jesuit Fr. Thomas Reese.

The church's concern about global warming cannot die with Pope Francis. The ball has been passed to Pope Leo XIV

Following St. Augustine, it appears Leo does not see unity as everyone singing the same note but rather as a choir singing in harmony. But eventually, the choir director will have to give some directions.

In his first major foreign policy address, Pope Leo XIV focused on the three words he considers the aim of Vatican diplomacy: peace, justice and truth.

Fr. Thomas Reese used to be certain no American would be elected pope. Now, he admits, he has been proved wrong with this new American — and Peruvian — pope, and speculates: What kind of pope will Leo XIV be?

The voting is highly choreographed and time-consuming to avoid any possibility of fraud or doubt about the results. 

Although overtly campaigning to be pope is discouraged and would be counterproductive, the cardinals do a lot of politicking in private prior to the conclave.

Ordinary Catholics saw Pope Francis as a compassionate pastor who cared about people, especially the poor and the marginalized, writes Thomas Reese.

They did to Jesus what they do to all troublemakers: They arrested, tortured and killed him.

Dropping bombs and killing drug dealers may look good on television, Thomas Reese writes, but the real war on drugs occurs in treatment programs, which are terribly underfunded.

Vice President JD Vance wants women to have more babies, but he should learn from the Catholic bishops how to make having children more affordable and appealing.

The war between Israel and Hamas is so devastating for both Palestinians and Israelis that the only human response is tears. But as Pope Paul VI said, "If you want peace, work for justice." Without justice for Palestinians and security for Israel, there will be no peace.

 It makes more sense to spend money saving the Earth from climate change, ecological destruction and international conflicts than it does going to Mars.

If you believe the Scripture is the Word of God, the message is clear: Musk and Trump will go to hell for defunding the corporal works of mercy. Will we?

Catholics, like Vice President JD Vance, who criticize Pope Francis for being too political, claim they long for the days of Pope John Paul II. But the truth is, they did not listen to John Paul when he challenged their political views.

"If this causes chaos, so be it. The more chaos there is in American society, the more people will be ready and willing to hand over the government to me. Have faith, Tom, I am here to save you."

President Donald Trump is the epitome of a destroyer who knows what he hates but has no idea how to build anything beautiful. He has greater joy in firing people than mentoring them.

Vice President JD Vance has done what the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have been incapable of doing: He has made their position on migrants and refugees national news.

Praying for the president does not mean that you endorse everything he says and does. Prayer means that you are asking God to direct him to paths of justice and peace, to give him the wisdom necessary to do his job.

Turning 80, as I do this month, I can no longer kid myself that death is a distant reality. While the temptation is to look back on regrets in my life, I am forcing myself to reflect on what I should be thankful for.