
The Pope’s Latest Encyclical Is Beautiful—and Hypocritical
“Fratelli Tutti” lays out a set of principles that the Vatican doesn’t apply to its own China deals.

Why Pompeo’s Crusade Against the Pope Failed
Christian conservatives in the United States are using religious freedom in China as a smokescreen in their ongoing culture war against Pope Francis. It might win votes at home but won’t sway the Holy See.

Pompeo’s Preelection Politicking Is Wearing Thin, Even With Allies
From the Vatican to Brazil, foreign officials are getting tired of Pompeo dragging their governments into Trump’s reelection campaign.

Pope Francis’s Silence on Xinjiang Speaks Volumes
A pope dedicated to human rights has said nothing on China, thanks to a secret deal with Beijing.

Thou Shalt Practice Social Distancing
The world’s major faiths face a test, and some religious leaders are failing by endangering human lives in the name of adhering to tradition—and ushering in a new age of secularism in the process.

Italy’s Great Schism
Italian Catholics are deeply divided between traditionalists and supporters of Pope Francis’s liberal vision. Matteo Salvini is seeking to give the Vatican’s detractors a new political home.

Papa, Don’t Preach
Italy’s far-right deputy prime minister, Matteo Salvini, is publicly attacking the pope in a battle for the country’s soul.

Pope Francis’s Warning
A transcript of the pontiff’s remarks in Romania.

Will Pope Francis Surrender to China?
In capitulating on the issue of bishop appointments, the Vatican would lose a 1,000-year struggle.

Pope Francis Is Playacting Realpolitik
The Vatican’s diplomacy with China, and other authoritarian governments, is based on a century-old fantasy of its worldly power.

How to Save Poland From Itself
Reagan intervened to rescue Poland from authoritarianism. Trump should do the same thing.

Pope Francis Should Reject Callista Gingrich as Ambassador (for Adultery)
The pontiff rejected a French ambassador just because he was gay; surely, he should reject Trump's pick for her sins.

Trump’s First Foreign Trip: To Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the Vatican
Not the traditional first foray for a new president.

Is Pope Francis Ditching Taiwan For China?
The Vatican is one of Taipei's few remaining political allies, but the Holy Father's desire to deal with the mainland may end that.

A Working Theory: The Trumps Are the Borgias of the 21st Century
Is Donald Trump 2016's Pope Alexander VI?

Joe Biden On Confessions, Cars, and Holy Wagers
In unscripted moment at the Vatican, the U.S. veep seeks absolution not for betting on cars, but for losing.

Democracy, Vatican-Style
By giving the laity more authority over issues of family life, Pope Francis is embracing a risky strategy for reform.

The Dictator of the Vatican
The “People’s Pope” is not trying to build an inclusive Catholic Church. He’s ruthlessly making it liberal.