"James Carroll weaves together the story of how his Irish mother inspired little Jimmy to believe in the Church, despite his young doubts, with the story of how the Catholic Church evolved in history to become an institution that places dominance and power in an all-male clergy. Carroll argues that clericalism is both the root cause and the ongoing enabler of the present Catholic crisis, and compromises the ability of Pope Francis to create change...

"Whoever needs an act of faith to elucidate an event that can be explained by reason is a fool, and unworthy of reasonable thought." This line, spoken by the notorious 18th-century libertine Giacomo Casanova, illustrates a deeply entrenched perception of religion, as prevalent today as it was hundreds of years ago. It is the sentiment behind the narrative that Catholic beliefs were incompatible with the Enlightenment ideals. Catholics, many claim,...

"Meet Pope Francis. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis is the first Pope from the Americas"--

The height of the AIDS crisis in the United States in the 1980s and 1990s left many profound stories that remained untold. In Hidden Mercy, gay Catholic journalist Michael O'Loughlin uncovers the stories of Catholics who at great personal cost chose compassion. A compelling picture of those who responded to human suffering with mercy, offering insights for LGBTQ and other people of faith struggling to find a home in religious communities today.

"In 476 AD, the last of Rome's emperors, known as "Augustulus" was deposed by a barbarian general, the son of one of Attila the Hun's henchmen. With the imperial vestments dispatched to Constantinople, the curtain fell on the Roman empire in Western Europe, its territories divided among successor kingdoms constructed around barbarian military manpower. But, if the Roman Empire was dead, Romans across the old empire still lived, holding on to their...

Chronicles the events behind the unexpected resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and the election of Pope Francis, tracing the lives of both men and discussing the consequences of having two living popes in residence at the Vatican. "The fascinating and revealing tale of an unprecedented transfer of power and of two very different men--who both happen to live in the Vatican. In February 2013, the archconservative Pope Benedict XVI made a startling announcement:...