Carol Zimmermann

I am obsessed with this. Pope Leo, on papal press conference joked about how Cindy Wooden, longtime bureau chief of @catholicnewssvc.bsky.social gets to retire.

The depressing result of the US bishops' conference presidential election The vote for a new president of the U.S. bishops' conference was close. Close and deeply disappointing. In choosing Archbishop Paul Coakley, the bishops had to overlook the disrespect he demonstrated ...

Our columnist has some thoughts on today's election by U.S. bishops: www.ncronline.org/opinion/depr...

And had to vote three times for final winner: Archbishop Coakley

No time for chit chat. First task of US bishops at annual mtg is vote for new USCCB president. Way the bishops go here will be telling.

First message in #USCCB25 is letter to Pope Leo pointing out fears of so many immigrants in US including those who now fear going to Mass because of ICE raids. The bishops said they "will continue to stand with migrants and defend everyone’s right to worship free from intimidation."

Inside the conclave, Part 1: How an American missionary became Pope Leo XIV After Pope Leo XIV's election, NCR spoke with cardinal electors and influential cardinal non-electors who witnessed the inner dynamics of the conclave and the pre-conclave days. They shared what ultim...

Six months into Pope Leo's pontificate we look back at what got him there - what the cardinals thought they would get -- and if they were right. www.ncronline.org/news/inside-...

Voting in Trump's shadow: Democrats got a boost in key city, state elections Off-year elections can sometimes be over-interpreted, but this year's three major contests were conducted in the shadow of Trump. The results can be properly interpreted as a referendum on the preside...

Post-election our Michael Sean Winters asks if Republican members of Congress are wondering if there is anything they can do to stem the anti-Trump sentiment that was so clear yesterday in New York City, New Jersey and Virginia. www.ncronline.org/opinion/ncr-...

Pope Leo calls on US authorities to respect migrants' spiritual needs Pope Leo XIV appealed for greater consideration for the "spiritual rights" of migrants in the United States, saying church ministers should be allowed to provide pastoral care to detained people.

Pope Leo weighs in on Chicago's ICE detention center where Communion has been denied to detainees. He said church leaders should be allowed to provide pastoral care to those inside who have often lived peacefully for years. www.ncronline.org/vatican/vati...

Chicago's Cardinal Cupich calls out 'hypocrisy' in US immigration enforcement Prelate also views preventing access to detainees as a serious pastoral and constitutional concern as well as a matter of religious freedom.

Chicago Cardinal Cupich has some things to say about immigration here: tinyurl.com/4zj38vbb.

Also Chicago Catholics and others planning once again to go to #ICE detention center Saturday. The cardinal says those bringing Communion should be allowed in as a basic part of religious freedom.

Catholic Charities USA launches national fundraising effort to support those losing access to food assistance programs  - Catholic Charities USA ALEXANDRIA, Va. — With millions of Americans set to lose access on Saturday to federal food assistance programs, Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) has

This is happening.
As SNAP benefits are set to expire, @catholiccharities.bsky.social is launching national emergency food drive. www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/2025/10/30/c...

I’m finally ditching my landline phone, but what are we really giving up? | Opinion Group texts aren’t the same as picking up the handset and dialing a loved one’s 10-digit number. | Opinion

Got an opinion piece today in @kansascity.com: www.kansascity.com/opinion/read...

Homeland Security weaponizes Bible verse to justify Trump's immigration tactics "Here am I, send me," from Isaiah, is the caption on a DHS promotional video, which also used a clip from the movie "Fury." The message is clear: It is glorifying Trump's military intervention at the ...

Homeland Security is using Scripture to promote its immigration enforcement. Well, if you want to quote Isaiah, how about this part: "Hide the outcasts, do not betray the fugitives," advises John Grosso digital editor of @ncronline.bsky.social

www.ncronline.org/opinion/home...

In column for OSV news my former boss, Greg Erlandson points out that the US bishops have been speaking out against Trump’s bill & wonders if Catholics have heard this message.

Mercy Sister Mary Haddad, president of @thechausa.bsky.social on Trump’s bill passage:

Sen. Tim Kaine sees Pope Leo XIV following Francis on path of servant leadership Sen. Tim Kaine, a Catholic, writes about his hopes for the pontificate of Leo XIV. As a servant leader, the new pope can orient us toward unity and affect the world far beyond the confines of the Cath...

We kickoff our new series on views of Pope Leo XIV today with Sen. Tim Kaine who says: "U.S. Americans can better understand through him our connections throughout the Americas, connections that transcend race or national boundaries."
www.ncronline.org/opinion/sen-...

Tennessee diocese clarifies Mass obligations as immigration crackdown empties pews Amid an immigration enforcement operation in Nashville, Tennessee, that has emptied the pews at several Spanish-speaking parishes, the Diocese of Nashville is reminding faithful that they are not requ...

Hmm is this religious freedom we’ve been hearing about?

Nashville Diocese says “no Catholic is obligated to attend Mass on Sunday if doing so puts their safety at risk."

www.ncronline.org/news/tenness...

"We have a new pope!" my parish priest said at start of Mass. Congregation applauded and priest mentioned he too was from South Side of Chicago.

Aren’t we all these days father?

Writers for “Your Friends & Neighbors” on AppleTV- please do better.

Scene with characters dipping communion hosts in stolen jam, really?

Ok Now it really begins.

The conclave: A detailed explainer of the secret ritual that elects the pope On May 7, in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel, the conclave for the election of the new pope — the Catholic Church's most secret and fascinating ritual — will begin.

Once these doors are closed, the secret process begins. Our explainer here tells all (that we can!) www.ncronline.org/vatican/conc...

It begins.

Me and Rhina next to each other on today's @ncronline.bsky.social - like old days from our Catholic News Service seating arrangement.

Some of us were hoping there would be a cardinal’s name in Kentucky Derby or even White Smoke. Guess this will do!

BREAKING NEWS: Conclave to elect next pope to begin May 7 The decision was made during a closed-door meeting of the College of Cardinals and announced at a media briefing at the Vatican.

Election of new pope starts May 7 - first day of conclave. www.ncronline.org/vatican/conc...

Trump changes tune on Russia after meeting Zelenskyy in St. Peter's Basilica U.S. President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for 15 minutes just prior to the funeral of Pope Francis, who spent a lifetime as a cleric working to build bridges.

Productive pre-Mass discussion proves importance of getting to church early. www.ncronline.org/vatican/trum...

Jesuit to the core: How Francis' spiritual roots shaped his life and papacy Since Pope Francis' death, the Jesuits who knew him have reflected on the transformation of Jorge Mario Bergoglio from a conflicted provincial in Argentina to a global spiritual leader.

How Pope Francis was influenced and left his mark as a Jesuit. www.ncronline.org/vatican/jesu...

This Argentine sister thinks she knows why Francis never returned to Argentina Maria Bambina Sr. Susana Vanni says Argentina's divisions, then Pope Francis' health, likely tilted against the longed-for papal visit to his native country.

Why didn’t Pope Francis visit his home country? It’s complicated.

www.ncronline.org/argentine-si...

Pope Francis was a pastoral revolutionary for LGBTQ Catholics "Some say he did not do enough; others criticize him for even meeting with people like me," said one transgender Catholic. "But he led by example. And in doing so he brought more hope, more love to th...

From our story today: A trans man who met the pope last year, said he will carry the grace of the visit with him for the rest of his life.

"I hope to hold it within me," he said, "and share it, as best I can, with each person I encounter."

www.ncronline.org/news/pope-fr...

Who will be the next pope? Inside the race to succeed Francis As the world's Catholic cardinals gather for what is expected to be the largest conclave in history, they face a stark choice: to continue along Pope Francis' path of reform, or to initiate a course c...

Our Vatican correspondent weighs in on who might be next pope. You can't want it too much is the thing. www.ncronline.org/news/who-wil...

Saturday funeral Mass for Pope Francis expected to draw world leaders Pope Francis' funeral Mass will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 26 at St. Peter's Bascillica

Pope Francis, who always prayed at Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore before & after international trips, will fittingly be buried there at end of his earthly journey. www.ncronline.org/vatican/vati...