Francis X. Rocca

Vatican press office: “The night passed peacefully; the Pope got up and had breakfast in his armchair.”

Vatican press office: “The Holy Father’s clinical condition remains stable. Blood tests, evaluated by the medical staff, show a slight improvement, particularly in signs of inflammation.”

Italy’s PM Giorgia Meloni visited Pope Francis in the hospital today.

“I am very happy to have found him alert and responsive,” she said. “We joked as always. He has not lost his legendary sense of humor.”

Vatican press office says the pope has double pneumonia and is receiving corticosteroid and antibiotic therapy for his polymicrobial infection. Says the pope is nevertheless in good spirits.

The History of Revolutionary Ideas: Islam Podcast Episode · Past Present Future · 01/26/2025 · 1h 3m

Fascinating discussion of the rise of Islam with the eloquent Tim Winter

The president of Colombia has retweeted White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s post.

Is this the most assertive use of executive power by a new administration since FDR?

Is this diplomacy? Or is electoral politics basically professional wrestling?

Yes, although I wouldn’t rule out a post-presidential visit. I suspect Francis would be very open to it — and wouldn’t that get diplomatic and journalistic tongues flapping?!

Biden’s canceled visit to Italy deprives him of a valedictory meeting with Pope Francis, a missed chance to stress his legacy as the second Catholic president — and as a progressive leader on issues, such as migration and the environment, championed by the pope.

Shaken, not stirred

He stirs things up!

No doubt both

Five years after the advent of COVID-19, handshakes are back in the news. Who’d have predicted?

Online reactions to the Washington appointment yesterday are a reminder that the Internet and especially social media have made church politics an activity for laypeople in a way that would have been unthinkable a few decades back.

Two California Bishops Personify Catholic Divide Over Politics of Abortion As bishops gather this week in Southern California, Cardinal-designate Robert McElroy of San Diego and Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco represent progressive and conservative wings of ...

In light of reports that Pope Francis will name Cardinal McElroy archbishop of Washington, I'm reupping a double profile of the cardinal and his fellow Californian Archbishop Cordileone, who together epitomize much of the division in the Catholic Church in the U.S. today. www.wsj.com/articles/two...

Memories

The Vatican in 2024: A Year of Global Outreach and Strategic Ambiguity Highlights of the year included Pope Francis’ longest trip, an 11-day journey through Asia and Oceania; the conclusion of the Synod on Synodality; and the addition of 20 new cardinals to the body that...

www.ncregister.com/news/the-vat...

The F word is everywhere now. As well as weakening every sentence in which it appears, it loses force from overuse. Serious question: what will replace it as the most powerful expletive?

Biden Signs Revised Plan to Avert Government Shutdown The proposal extends federal funding into March and provides disaster aid, but leaves out the debt-ceiling increase demanded by Trump.

It’s jarring to see Biden’s name in this headline. You have to remind yourself he’s still president.

www.wsj.com/politics/pol...

Donald Trump names Brian Burch, president of conservative advocacy group Catholic Vote, as ambassador to the Holy See

How the White House Functioned With a Diminished Biden in Charge Aides kept meetings short and controlled access, top advisers acted as go-betweens and public interactions became more scripted. The administration denied Biden has declined.

What a scandal. Lots of people complicit in this one.

www.wsj.com/politics/bid...

Optical Delusions Trump has shown again he can distract us from ominous reality with the parade of glitz to which America has become addicted.

Tina Brown names jailed Hong Kong democracy activist Jimmy Lai her person of the year 2024 open.substack.com/pub/tinabrow...

“No one other than the CNN team was aware of our plans to visit the prison building featured in our report that day. The events transpired as they appear in our film. The decision to release the prisoner featured in our report was taken by the guard—a Syrian rebel. We reported the scene as it unfolded, including what the prisoner told us, with clear attribution. We have subsequently been investigating his background and are aware that he may have given a false identity. We are continuing our reporting into this and the wider story.”

CNN statement on the Clarissa Ward report.

Just want to note that in order get something on air at CNN it has to go through many layers of executives.

This is a systemwide failure.

Happy birthday, Jane Austen -- 249 and never better

See we’ve settled on Man-joan, as a compromise between the Italian Mahn-joan-eh and the all-American Man-gee-oney

Joe Biden v @JoeBiden • 1h I pray to God that the president-elect throws away Project 2025. I think it would be an economic disaster. I believe the only way for a president to lead America is to lead all of America. 03.4K 1721K O16K | 643K W

This man was not made for this moment.

youtube.com/watch?v=CHBF...

Joe Biden did always say that he was an enthusiastic commuter

YouTube video by i24NEWS English Pope Francis inaugurates nativity scene with Palestinian keffiyeh

Pope Francis drew criticism after unveiling the nativity scene with a Palestinian keffiyeh, aiming at neutrality

'The pope and the Vatican try to be even-handed about this, which of course doesn't make everyone happy, or perhaps makes everyone unhappy,' @fxrocca.bsky.social says.