Pope Francis will be laid to rest Saturday after lying in state for three days in St. Peter’s Basilica. Wisdom Wednesday begins with selected items from the vast number of stories, articles and reflections on his life and death. We offer news and opinions – including some strong views from the authors who are responsible for what is written.
The death of Pope Francis
AUSCP Statement
While we will miss his beautiful, often smiling presence, his example will continue to inspire us to become the church Jesus intended: one that is open and deeply listens to the movement of the Divine Spirit within us, our earth, and the universe.
The fact that he died the day after we celebrate the Resurrection compels us to delve deeper into the great Christian mystery of existence, which is available to all. As Christians, we do not believe in death but in transitioning to the highest state of communion. Like Christ, he is with us still.”
— (Rev.) Stephen P. Newton, CSC
Executive Director
Association of United States Catholic Priests
The cardinals met Tuesday in the Vatican’s synod hall to chart the next steps before a conclave begins to choose Francis’ successor, as condolences poured in from around the world. According to current norms, the conclave must begin between May 5 and 10. From the Associated Press.
The death of a pope sets in motion a series of carefully orchestrated rites and rituals well before the conclave to elect his successor begins. They involve the certification of death and public display of his body for the faithful to pay their respects, followed by the funeral and burial. From the Associated Press.
135 cardinals will elect the next pope. Francis picked 108 of them. Francis, who died April 21 at age 88, stands to have an outsize impact on the vote for his successor. From Religion News Service.
See the last photos of Pope Francis, taken at Easter services the day before he died. From the Associated Press.
A final call to Gaza’s lone Catholic church. Francis had a frequent evening ritual during the war in Gaza. He would call the Palestinian territory’s lone Catholic church to see how people huddled there were coping. He made his last call on Holy Saturday. From the Associated Press.
Easter Sunday
“The empty tomb marks God’s promise in times of despair.” In the days before the death of Pope Francis, US Catholic published the story of how the pope “invites us to hope instead of despairing at the fate of the world around us.”
Why do we call the Resurrection ‘Easter’? US Catholic reports the short answer is that nobody really knows.
US Catholic also invites readers to “Get to know the Jewish Jesus.” Understanding Jesus’ teachings in the light of his own time, religion, and culture helps shed light on his ministry.
OPINION: America chose Barabbas
David Weatherspoon, writing for Baptist News Global, says “we are experiencing a dystopian reality playing out in the United States. Over the past several years, we have witnessed masses of people who claim to follow Jesus give their allegiance to one who has progressively grown bolder and increasingly dangerous in his striving for more power and wealth.
Previously reported items
AUSCP shares a collection of items on the life and death of Pope Francis.
Abolishing the death penalty in the spirit of Easter and Passover
Nicole Wiesen, writing an OPINION for Baptist News Global, calls for abolishment of the death penalty. Death penalty executions in the U.S. and worldwide increased in 2024 over the previous year and reached the highest overall level in a decade, according to a new Amnesty International report.
For Trump Administration, a ruling for refugees
In a win for faith groups, a federal judge rules Trump must begin admitting some refugees, according to Religion News Service. “We pray the government finally respects the court order as well as human dignity, and admits the thousands of refugees,” said Mark Hetfield, whose organization, HIAS, was one of the plaintiffs.
Deportations: Where may arrests be made?
The Pew Research Center finds most Americans say arrests of immigrants living in the U.S. illegally should be allowed at protests or in homes, but not at places of worship or schools.
Denominational news
The Congressional attempt to censure Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde for her homily at the Washington National Cathedral appears to be going exactly nowhere. Three months after the service tied to Donald Trump’s inauguration as president, the proposed resolution remains stuck in committee. From Baptist News Global.
Most Protestant pastors say their churches will survive — and for now, they’re right, according to Religion News Service. While American organized religion is still on the decline, congregations remain remarkably resilient. A new study from Lifeway Research found 94% of Protestant pastors believe their church will still be around in a decade.
A federal judge on Thursday (April 17) dismissed a lawsuit alleging that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints arm misused hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations by investing it instead of using it for charitable purposes. From the Associated Press.
Lawsuits okayed
A judge says sexual abuse cases against San Francisco Archdiocese can go to trial. From the Associated Press.
Hindu-Muslim conflict
Authorities imposed an indefinite curfew in parts of a western Indian city on Tuesday (April 15), a day after sectarian clashes were sparked by Hindu nationalist groups who want to demolish the tomb of a 17th-century Muslim Mughal ruler. From the Associated Press.
Israel-Gaza
Thousands of Gaza children are malnourished under Israel’s food blockade, aid groups say. From the Associated Press.
Books banned
Anthea Butler, a religion and African American studies professor at the University of Pennsylvania, is the author of White Evangelical Racism: The Politics of Morality in America.
Her book is one of nearly 400 removed from the U.S. Naval Academy, she writes in Baptist News Global, “ because people hate the truth and people hate history more.”
Why Earth Day still matters
The organization one5c recently published an interview with Tia Nelson, daughter of the founder of Earth Day, observed April 22.
Justice Bulletin Board
Barbara Molinari Quinby offers her weekly thoughts, for the Second Sunday of Easter.
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