The Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica featured a series of symbols, all showing how Pope Leo XIV is somehow moving in great stride toward a definitive transition, one set to begin in earnest as soon as the Jubilee closes.

In particular, there are three small signs to consider.

The first: Leo XIV [...]

With the appointment of the new Archbishop of New York, there is some reason to think we have seen the last of the Francis era, at least insofar as episcopal nominations are concerned.

Archbishop Ronald Hicks, chosen to succeed Cardinal Timothy Dolan as Archbishop of New York, has a profile that many consider typically [...]

Among the most interesting things about Leo XIV’s still very young pontificate, is the central place Europe – the idea of Europe and the sociopolitical realities of Europe in what is now the middle of the 21st century – has taken through the new pope’s words, declarations, and actions.

Leo is refocusing the Church’s [...]

The conclusions of the Francis-appointed commission on the female diaconate – basically a hard “No” softly delivered, one that surprised pretty much no one – were published last week, on the same day as another decision by Leo XIV to repeal one of Pope Francis’s financial reforms.

The two events were unrelated, but [...]

The week Leo XIV left for his first international trip was also when the Pope made several decisions and really began to give his pontificate some direction.

The decisions he made revealed something of Leo XIV’s characteristics: he is capable of overturning Pope Francis’s decisions, especially in administrative matters; in doctrinal matters, he will [...]