Massimo Faggioli

As a New York Times columnist, Ross Douthat's commentary on the Church was defined by a central antagonist: Pope Francis.

The Vatican now views the SSPX as an external schismatic issue. What remains to be seen is how Leo will deal with the issue of internal radical traditionalism.

Leo’s engagement with Europe refuses the familiar language of “Christian roots.” Rather, it positions the Catholic Church in opposition to imperialism.

It is necessary to have a pontiff with a strong political voice. But what will Leo's political prominence augur for the prospects of a more synodal Church?

The growing number of adult baptisms in European and the United States has caught the notice of Church leaders who are attentive to even the smallest signs of revival.

Many U.S. bishops remain unwilling to call out Trump's authoritarianism. They would be wise to draw lessons from the Church's history with Italian Fascism.