Who’s who at the Vatican?
The pope leads the Catholic Church, but some 2,000 other people work at the Holy See and city-state.
March 3, 2025
46
Ethics
What are conflicts of interest and what can be done about them?
At a time of low trust in government, conflicts of interest can further erode Americans’ confidence in officials.
February 28, 2025
42
What is a charter school, really? Supreme Court ruling on whether Catholic charter is constitutional
The Supreme Court will hear arguments about the Oklahoma school in April.
February 27, 2025
72
Butchers, bakers, candlestick-makers − and prostitutes: The women working behind the scenes in papal
Women’s work may not have been glamorous, but it was vital to the workings of the pope’s court and surrounding city.
February 25, 2025
39
500 years ago, German peasants revolted – but their faith that the Protestant Reformation stood for
The German peasants were among the first to try to unlock the revolutionary potential of Reformation teachings to fight…
February 25, 2025
46
Francis − a pope who has cared deeply for the poor and opened up the Catholic Church
A scholar of global Catholicism writes how Francis has opened the church to the outside world in ways no pope had done before.
February 24, 2025
58
How Roman society integrated people who altered their bodies and defied gender norms
There may have been fear of gender-diverse people in the ancient world, but they played a crucial role. In Rome, they were…
February 24, 2025
55
From ancient emperors to modern presidents, leaders have used libraries to cement their legacies
Several libraries in the ancient world blended learning and books with memorials to their sponsors.
February 21, 2025
58
Nat King Cole’s often overlooked role in the Civil Rights Movement
March 17 marks 106 years since the birth of musician Nat King Cole, whose success paved the way for future generations of…
February 18, 2025
43
Who are Ismaili Muslims and how do their beliefs relate to the Aga Khan’s work?
Aga Khan, the religious leader of the Ismailis – a sect of Islam – established the Aga Khan Foundation in 1967. It has…
February 17, 2025
52
From Jewish summer camp to gospel to Chabad, Bob Dylan’s faith doesn’t fit in a box − but he’s long
Despite pressure to cancel Israel performances, Dylan has performed in the country several times. Ever an enigma, he rarely…
February 13, 2025
48
How Valentine’s Day was transformed by the Industrial Revolution and ‘manufactured intimacy’
In 1866, journalist Andrew Halliday led his readers on a guided tour of one of London’s foremost card manufacturers –…
February 12, 2025
49
Repatriation to Indigenous groups is more than law, it’s human rights − an archaeologist describes t
Repatriation is now a legal responsibility, but also a matter of human rights, an anthropologist writes.
February 12, 2025
48
Even as polarization surges, Americans believe they live in a compassionate country
Compassion starts with the individual – self-care and personal wellness. It then radiates out to the wider community in…
February 11, 2025
49
Whether Christians should prioritize care for migrants as much as for fellow citizens has been debat
A scholar of religion and migration writes about the long-standing tensions among Christians regarding their moral obligations…
February 11, 2025
55
Gut-wrenching love: What a fresh look at the ‘Good Samaritan’ story says for ethics today
Philosophers have always wrestled with how love can be so morally important, yet so personal and even arbitrary.
February 10, 2025
60
Religious freedom is routinely curbed in Central Asia – but you won’t often see it making internatio
Forum 18, a site based in Norway, is one of the few media outlets specializing in coverage of religious freedom.
February 6, 2025
56
This Valentine’s Day, try loving-kindness meditation
If you’re feeling disconnected from others, or just disenchanted with the day, you might consider trying loving-kindness…
February 5, 2025
46
Friendship, a covenant, romance – no matter what you call it, David’s love for Jonathan is one of th
The Bible describes the two men meeting and sharing an instant connection.
February 5, 2025
48
Reverence for the sacred waters of the Ganga and belief in its power to wash away sins bring million
Ritual bathing at the confluence of large rivers has long held special significance in Hindu rituals. Sangam, where the…
February 5, 2025
44