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Finding spiritual treasure in César Franck
The Belgian composer César Franck – unfairly associated with kitsch and sentimentality by certain cultural sophisticates – wrote some of the most spiritually inspiring music of the late 19th century.…
Published on 3 months, 1 week ago
Does Pope Leo XIV represent continuity or change?
From Rome Fr Benedict Kiely and Damian Thompson react to the election of Cardinal Robert Prevost as the successor to Pope Francis. The first American Pope, Prevost is also a citizen of Peru, having s…
Published on 3 months, 2 weeks ago
Conclave: who is likely to succeed Francis?
The papal conclave is due to begin on Wednesday 7 May to elect a successor to Pope Francis.
As host Damian Thompson says, Rome – and the entire Church – is in a state of ‘fevered excitement’. While th…
Published on 3 months, 3 weeks ago
What can we expect from the papal conclave?
Earlier this year Dr Kurt Martens, Professor of Canon Law at the Catholic University of America, joined Damian Thompson on Holy Smoke to unpack what happens during a papal conclave. There was heighte…
Published on 4 months ago
Pope Francis dies – what will his legacy be?
Pope Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, has died.
The Argentinian, the first Latin American – and the first Jesuit – to lead the Church, has been the head of the Holy See for 12 years, su…
Published on 4 months, 1 week ago
Easter special: in praise of faithful dissent, a conversation with Nigel Biggar and Mary Wakefield
The Easter issue of the Spectator includes two provocative articles exploring aspects of Christianity.
Nigel Biggar, Regius professor emeritus of moral theology at Oxford University, now a Conservati…
Published on 4 months, 1 week ago
Was Simeon of Jerusalem the first Christian in recorded history?
In Luke's Gospel, an ancient inhabitant of Jerusalem named Simeon meets Mary and Joseph when they bring Jesus to be presented at the Temple on the 40th day after his birth. He has been promised that …
Published on 4 months, 2 weeks ago
The tin ear of Justin Welby
The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, is back in the news following his interview this week with the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg. The interview – his first since he resigned last November – w…
Published on 4 months, 3 weeks ago
A sick Pope and a paralysed Vatican: who is actually running the Catholic Church?
A greatly enfeebled Pope Francis is now living in enforced isolation in a suite at his Santa Marta residence that has been converted into hospital accommodation. He won't be resuming public duties fo…
Published on 5 months ago
Christianity, culture wars and J.D. Vance: a conversation with James Orr
James Orr was living the life of a young, high-flying lawyer when, after a few drinks at a New Year's Eve party, he asked for signs that God existed. The signs came; among other things, he narrowly a…
Published on 5 months, 2 weeks ago