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“Forgiveness is the fragrance the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.” – Mark Twain

I have been deeply touched by the flood of mail from Catholic readers who have appreciated that a rabbi could have some spiritually helpful insights on the new papacy of Leo IV. Here, a Protestant reader, R, shares her soul’s ...Read more

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: It is interesting to note how offended people are when something is said about Hell; yet most people use the word like commas in their communication, and they particularly use it when they want to offend someone. This seems hypocritical. Many people get so angry that they declare they want someone ...Read more

While the Illinois village of Dolton is moving ahead with negotiations to buy Pope Leo XIV’s childhood home in the village, it’s unclear how trustees were consulted about the decision, which hasn’t been discussed at an open meeting.

As Mayor Jason House seeks to come to terms with the home’s owner, at the same time the village attorney ...Read more

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas has revealed what it says are recent substantiated allegations of sex abuse involving three priests, bringing to nearly 30 the number of credibly accused clergy who have served in the archdiocese.

The priests all have died in recent years, according to an announcement last week by ...Read more

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: When I watch the unrest on college campuses, it makes me mad at first, and then it makes me sad because these kids (who are really young adults) are so misled. They may be highly educated, but they are outwardly foolish. They’ve been pumped with hatred by others, and their hatred is toxic. One ...Read more

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: I resent when someone tells me that I am just as bad of a sinner as someone who has committed murder. The worst thing I’ve done is lie to my parents. Where in the Bible does it say that a liar is as bad as a murderer? – A.C.

A: From the human standpoint, some sins seem worse than others – ...Read more

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: When I became a mother, I was fearful that I wouldn’t be able to guide my children spiritually because I was a babe myself in the faith. My mother recalled reading in “My Answer” a response to a question about how to engage children in learning the Bible. A friend then gave me a wonderful gift...Read more

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: I’m shocked that God allowed certain stories to be part of the Bible. There are some pretty rough characters. I thought the Bible was a storybook about God’s love. – G.L.

A: The same Book that tells us over and over again of God’s love warns us constantly of the devil who would come between...Read more

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: I love Jesus, and I try to obey His commands, but I doubt that I can really be good enough to get into Heaven, though I try. How can I be good enough to get in since I sin even when I don’t mean to? – H.E.

A: We will never be good enough to go to Heaven. That statement may be shocking to hear, ...Read more

In the United States, where religion is “very” or “somewhat” important according to nearly two-thirds of adults, one racial group stands out when it comes to practicing their faith, a new poll found.

The Public Religion Research Institute American Values Atlas poll based religious activity on three categories: how often people pray, how...Read more

I recently offered up my list of qualities I hoped to see in the new pope and asked you, dear readers, to share with me your hopes.

Now that we joyously have welcomed Pope Leo IV we can begin to match up our lists and his papacy. I did not include in my list a pope who is a White Sox fan, who has a COSTCO card, who loves Chicago deep-dish pizza...Read more

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: A popular prayer app is getting a lot of attention, and the name of the Holy Spirit is used in some of the ads. I did some research but couldn’t find out much that made sense. Is the Holy Spirit an empowerment? – P.A.

A: The Holy Spirit is a ...Read more

Pope Leo XIV has officially hard launched his papacy.

The new pontiff, 69-year-old Chicago native Robert Prevost, shared a message Wednesday from the official @Pontifex account on X for the first time since being named the new head of the Catholic Church. The handle was first launched in 2012 during the pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI.

“...Read more

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: I pray every day that the Lord will give me the privilege of leading someone to the Lord, but every time I try, I am shunned and made fun of. What am I doing wrong? – W.W.

A: An evangelist was given an opportunity to preach at a university, and he gladly accepted. He yearned to win students to ...Read more

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: What does it mean when people say that sin’s pleasure is only for a season? – S.P.

A: The Bible tells us that there can be pleasure in sin. We know this from our own experience. But we often fail to read “the rest of the story.” For God’s Word says that sin’s pleasure is only for a ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA -- It was afternoon at the convent, and that meant bingo.

A dozen elderly women, some in wheelchairs, others with their walkers pushed aside, studied the triplets of cards in front of them. A life-size cardboard cutout of Pope Francis, newly deceased, waved beneficently down at them.

“Call the right numbers!” joked Sister ...Read more

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: Is the Bible written in sequence? I know that the Old Testament is about God, and the New Testament is about Jesus. I’ve read the four gospels but noticed how often Jesus quotes from the Old Testament. It makes me want to read the Old Testament, but the few times I’ve tried, it has been hard to ...Read more

Robert Prevost, the Chicago-born missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru and took over the Vatican’s powerful office of bishops, was elected the first pope from the United States in the history of the Catholic Church. Prevost, a 69-year-old member of the Augustinian religious order, took the name Leo XIV.

In his first words as ...Read more

At a small Catholic elementary school on the south side of Chicago, Michael Winters and Robert Prevost would run in circles on the hot cement during recess.

Even back in 1961, while attending St. Mary of the Assumption School, Prevost — who took the name Leo XIV after becoming the first American elected pope — seemed destined for the role. ...Read more

CHICAGO — Above the door of the church in the last blocks of Chicago, the Virgin Mary still stands with her arms wide open.

The double doors beneath the statue’s feet are shut, but a disintegrating wooden side door swings freely, leading to a set of stairs with chipped paint scattered on them. Above, a pool of blue light from a stained-...Read more