"What happened at the 2025 conclave, and what can it tell us about the path the Catholic Church is now on?"

@austeni.bsky.social reviews two 'insta-books' offering two very different views of the new pope:
www.commonwealmagazine.org/brunson-chri...

Asked what US can do to prepare for Leo’s pontificate, Tobin cites Bergoglio’s talk before becoming Pope about “letting Jesus go out and not to keep him locked in a self-referential church…Pope Leo sees the world differently than most people in the US” because he knows what it means to ‘go out.’”

Good morning from the terrace of the Maria Bambina overlooking the square. I’ll be live on ⁦‪BBC News channel after Mass begins at 10am (UK 9am) to discuss with ⁦‪Maryam Mashiri‬⁩ what to expect as #conclave2025 kicks off here in Rome.

The battle for the Catholic Church’s future will not be over doctrine-The future of the Church lies now, as in the early centuries, in its witness from below, in its capacity… www.ft.com/content/57dc... @austeni.bsky.social @financialtimes.com

Super article by @austeni.bsky.social on whether the conclave will look towards a path of authority or humility (potestas aut humilitas) next week.

The simple letter summoning cardinals to Rome to meet each day in the “general congregations” beginning this morning. Over-80s free to attend or not. In the absence of a pope, this is the temporary governing authority of the worldwide Church.

🙏🏽

Para celebrar a edição portuguesa do meu *Em Primeiro Lugar Pertencer a Deus* darei uma palestra no dia 10 de abril em Lisboa sobre O LEGADO DO PAPA FRANCISCO E O FUTURO DA IGREJA. Vemo-nos lá! Detalhes e para reservar seu lugar: pontosj.pt/participar/a...

#Ukraine President Zelenskyy Sends Vatican List of POWs in Russia and Speaks by Phone with Cardinal Parolin Wishing #Pope Francis Recovery
www.catholicnewsworld.com/2025/03/ukra...

Beautiful reflection on today’s readings by Dom Henry Wansbrough OSB via Universalis app.

Big English Benedictine news announced by Abbot of Belmont Abbey in Herefordshire: the monastic community of St Gregory’s (formerly Downside Abbey) is moving to Belmont. Abbot Brendan Thomas says: “Whilst formally we will remain separate communities, in practice we will live a common life together.”

Delighted to present a new film, "Faith, Ecology and Hope", conceived in response to the murder of Fr. Marcelo Pérez, a Tzotzil indigenous Catholic priest from Mexico (we had been collaborating with him at the time of his killing in in Oct 2024):
www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0NG...

Pope update: “condition continues to improve ”: needs less oxygen, suggesting that lung function improving. Condition has moved from "critical" to "complex", but "further days of clinical stability are needed to resolve the prognosis.” Went into the chapel today, and worked.

Medical expert on Pope’s current state: risk of sepsis remains, but “definitely potential” for recovery. Many clinical indications that his condition “might be reversible.” www.ncronline.org/vatican/vati...

This morning, Pope’s people say he rested well “the whole night” which, together with last night’s medical update showing improvement, is further cause for hope that they’re getting on top of the infection. 🕯️

Some good news: a “slight improvement” in the Pope’s critical state. No more asthmatic episodes; renal issue not an issue; oxygen continues to be given through nasal cannula but with “slightly reduced flow”. Too soon to draw conclusions on prognosis. But 👍🏽 has “resumed work”.

Francis’s people say the night passed well, he slept and is now resting. It feels knife-edge today. Experts say he shows first signs of sepsis, but there are positives, and he can still pull through. Prognosis remains uncertain, the situation critical. We keep our candles lit.🕯️🕯️🕯️

Pope health latest: blood tests show slight reduction of inflammation, otherwise condition unchanged. He read newspapers, worked with close collaborators, received Eucharist before lunch. Afternoon: Italian premier Giorgia Meloni popped in for 20 minutes of private conversation.

Many people don't know that Pope Pius XII's final act as pope was to order the US bishops to publish a statement against racism that they had been dithering over for months

www.cambridge.org/core/service...

Pope health update shows he now has pneumonia requiring “further drug therapy”. The polymicrobial infection on top of bronchiectasis and asthmatic bronchitis “makes therapeutic treatment more complex”. But he is in good spirits. We pray for him and his medics. 🙏 🕯️

Thanks I was beginning to realise!

The news from Rome remains worrying, if not (yet) alarming. We pray for Pope Francis, for the treatment to be effective, for the team dedicated to him. We pray for his serenity and comfort, that he experience God’s tender touch. 🙏🏽

It is *very* unusual for a pope to do this. Magisterial in tone and form (numbered paragraphs, quoting papal teachings) and targeted (referring to Trump policies and Vance’s justifications), this letter means to leave *no doubt* about where the Catholic Church stands. www.vatican.va/content/fran...

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” St Paul to the Hebrews.