Thomas Reese

Biden's visit to the Vatican will be only the second time in history that a sitting U.S. president who is Catholic has met with the pope. But the centuries-old Vatican diplomatic corps has such VIP meetings "down to a science."

Pope Francis may have considerable work ahead of him in his efforts to get the American Catholic hierarchy to embrace his priorities. But he does have opportunities in episcopal appointments on the horizon.

Your thoughts: More NCR readers respond to Jesuit Fr. Thomas Reese's thoughts about reforming the liturgy.

Signs of the Times: Pope Francis' concern with capitalism and racism seems pointed at the American manifestations of these ills.

A day after donning a face mask for the first time during a liturgical service, Pope Francis was back to his mask-less old ways Oct. 21 despite surging coronavirus infections across Europe and growing criticism of his behavior and the example he is setting.

Your thoughts: Recently, President Donald Trump announced his nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. A graduate of Notre Dame Law School, Barrett's ties to the charismatic Christian religious group, People of Praise, has come into question. 

Your thoughts: A new papal encyclical, entitled "Fratelli tutti" in Italian or "Brothers and Sisters All," will be coming out soon. Prominent Catholic women are raising objections to the title because it uses the Italian masculine plural to address the world's population.

Commentary: Our understanding of mercy is impoverished. Our social inclination to the common good at rock bottom. Resurrecting the common good seems to me as urgent as any matter related to the upcoming election.