All posts tagged: Francis

Thoughts on Theology in Science by Kenneth Francis: Berkeley Vs Solipsism

Thoughts on Theology in Science by Kenneth Francis: Berkeley Vs Solipsism

Published by Jenni Sidey

 Theology in Science, written by Kenneth Francis, is a fascinating book that covers a variety of topics from quantum theory to the dream life of spiders. For myself, the portion of the book I found the most interesting was the discussion on George Berkeley and the philosophical idea known as solipsism.  Solipsism claims the only thing that is sure to exist is one’s own mind. This is an idea that I find particularly irritating. If I am the only thing that exists, and my reality is some sort of byproduct of my own imagination, then I have some words for the manager. Speaking from a storytelling standpoint, I’ve always found the idea irritating because realities that are essentially an illusion are detrimental to stakes in a plot. There’s a reason the Matrix franchise has to consistently return to reality. If the whole movie were set in the Matrix and Neo died, nobody would have much reason to care because he’s probably still alive somewhere and can be rebooted at some point. In order for the suspension of disbelief to take place, the audience …

Pope Francis’ legacy in time, one year after his death

Pope Francis’ legacy in time, one year after his death

Published by Sam Flores

VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Pope Francis will likely be remembered for his gestures: his lone walk under the rain in St. Peter’s Square to pray during the pandemic, his embrace of migrants, his unscripted phone calls and off-the-cuff remarks. But behind the images, the pontificate of Jorge Bergoglio was built on something quieter — “starting processes” as he would say, a strategy aimed not at immediate results, but at shaping the future of the Catholic Church long after his death. From church reform to episcopal appointments and a renewed focus on the peripheries, Francis planted seeds meant to outlast him. Halfway through Francis’ papacy, many observers — especially in a Western world accustomed to measuring leadership in terms of mandates, milestones and results — were wondering what the pope had actually accomplished during his pontificate. Despite fierce pressure from both progressives and conservatives, Francis made relatively few formal doctrinal changes. Those he did enact could be counted on one hand: revising the catechism of the Catholic Church to declare the death penalty inadmissible; repudiating the …

Reading Pope Francis a Year Later

Reading Pope Francis a Year Later

Published by Sam Flores

(RNS) — A year after his death, the Catholic Church is moving forward — and revealing what Francis actually changed. While he was alive, Francis’ papacy was interpreted in real time: praised, criticized and debated. It was difficult to separate what was truly changing from what simply felt different because of him. Now, the Church moves forward, and this movement offers something new — a chance to see what was durable. What still feels like Francis? What has been absorbed into the Church’s way of operating? And what, if anything, has already begun to fade? In this episode, we step back from the moment-to-moment reactions and take a first real look at Pope Francis in hindsight. Not to revisit his papacy, but to understand it differently — through what we can now see. Source link

Dior’s Francis Kurkdjian Says He “Plagiarized” Rihanna to Create J’adore Intense

Dior’s Francis Kurkdjian Says He “Plagiarized” Rihanna to Create J’adore Intense

Published by Sam Flores

There was no official dress code, but the crowd had arrived almost unanimously in black. The invitation, meanwhile—a white box containing a gold cassette tape alongside the new scent—was doing the rounds as a talking point all night. Was it a tease of R9, the album Rihanna’s fans have been circling for a decade? Nobody knew. The food and beverage came courtesy of Carvingblock and took inspiration from both Rihanna’s native Barbados and Dior’s Paris. There were potato croissants topped with crème fraîche and caviar; Barbadian mahi-mahi tacos with charred habanero and cabbage salsa; golden beetroot tartlets with curry spice. Later in the evening came the caviar poulet—a chicken nugget crowned with caviar. Out on the patio, smokers had taken up residence alongside a contingent of stylists swapping notes about their client lists for the upcoming slate of awards warm-up parties. Inside, Dior ambassadors Yuko Araki, Harriet Herbig-Matten, and Nicole Wallace were spritzing themselves with the heady new scent making its way through the party on a silver tray, while a pool table nearby had …

Remains Believed to Be St. Francis’ Are on Rare Public Display

Remains Believed to Be St. Francis’ Are on Rare Public Display

Published by Sam Flores

new video loaded: Remains Believed to Be St. Francis’ Are on Rare Public Display transcript Back transcript Remains Believed to Be St. Francis’ Are on Rare Public Display The bones of St. Francis, preserved in a nitrogen-filled plexiglass case, were shown to the public just once, briefly, in 1978. “Today, the boys and I have just had the opportunity to go and walk past his body lying there. He must be the saint with the greatest following of them all. He’s such an incredible saint, and it’s been a very, very moving experience for all of our boys. We have boys who are 10 years old right up to 18.” The bones of St. Francis, preserved in a nitrogen-filled plexiglass case, were shown to the public just once, briefly, in 1978. By McKinnon de Kuyper February 22, 2026 Source link

800 years after his death, the legends and legacy of Francis of Assisi endure

800 years after his death, the legends and legacy of Francis of Assisi endure

Published by Sam Flores

(The Conversation) — On the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan order, his body will be displayed for the first time ever in February 2026, at the Basilica of San Francesco. Millions of visitors are expected to converge in the small Tuscan town of Assisi to honor the 13th-century saint. Francis, who died on Oct. 4, 1226, espoused care for the poor and reverence for the natural world. Those values were reflected centuries later in the actions of Pope Francis. The late pope chose his papal name in honor of the medieval saint’s embrace of the poor and his teachings on the moral responsibility of caring for all creatures on Earth. As a scholar of medieval religious history, I’m aware that several dramatic episodes near the end of Francis’s life played a decisive role in shaping his legacy as the founder of the Franciscan order. These events also explain why his radical messages around poverty and the environment still resonate today. Born rich, yet sought a life …

Francis’ actions scrutinized as Vatican appeals court reviews finance trial

Francis’ actions scrutinized as Vatican appeals court reviews finance trial

Published by Sam Flores

VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Judges at the Vatican’s highest appeals court reviewing the convictions of six defendants, including Cardinal Angelo Becciu, in a landmark Vatican financial trial are now being asked to weigh the legal consequences of actions taken by Pope Francis during the investigation. The late pontiff’s role in the investigation has been repeatedly called into question during what has been called “the Vatican trial of the century,” which started in 2021 and revolves around a London real estate investment. In 2019, the Vatican’s Secretariat of State became embroiled in the controversial purchase of a former Harrods warehouse in London that cost the religious institution $400 million. The nine individuals involved in the purchase — financiers, Vatican officers and Becciu (who was the Vatican Substitute at the time, the third-highest-ranking official at the Vatican) — were charged in connection with the deal. In 2023, they were found guilty on various counts, including fraud, embezzlement and money laundering. Becciu was found guilty of embezzlement and sentenced to five years and six months in prison, barred …

Faith leaders who died in 2025: Pope Francis, theologians and activists

Faith leaders who died in 2025: Pope Francis, theologians and activists

Published by Sam Flores

(RNS) — Figures from the realms of politics to sports, from presiding over the Vatican to Temple Square, are among those who died in 2025 and will be remembered for shaping the world of faith. They include a millennial influencer who reached vast audiences on social media and college campuses, while others wrote dozens of books or reached millions via radio and TV stations. Others used their pulpits to preach the gospel or advocated for the environment, election fairness or justice within and beyond their denominations.  Here, we recall some of the religious leaders who died this year.  Pope Francis The former archbishop of Buenos Aires who became the worldwide leader of the Roman Catholic Church in 2013 died on April 21 at age 88. The day before, he surprised faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square for Easter Sunday. Francis, a charismatic reformer, was a leader of many firsts, including becoming the first Latin American pope and the first Jesuit pontiff. Known for his humility — he chose to wear simple clothing and jewelry — …

Francis stable, out of ‘imminent danger’ of death

Francis stable, out of ‘imminent danger’ of death

Published by Sam Flores

The Vatican issued an update Saturday on the health of Pope Francis, who remains in Rome’s Gemelli hospital under the care of doctors, saying that while his prognosis remains “complex,” the pope is no longer in “imminent danger” of death. On Friday, the Vatican’s Holy See Press Office announced that since Francis’ condition is now considered stable, barring any major developments, updates on his health will be less frequent. The 88-year-old pontiff has spent four weeks in the hospital and is receiving treatment for double pneumonia. Medical bulletins from the pope’s doctors, which had been almost a daily occurrence since his admission to Gemelli hospital on Feb. 14, will be issued only when there is new information, the press office said Friday. The office emphasized that Francis’ recovery is progressing, but that it will require time to make sure the improvements continue. This also means the Holy See’s daily morning update about how the pope spent the night will no longer be issued, which leaves only the evening news briefing for journalists. The Vatican said …