No matter what happens at the conclave, these politically engaged American conservatives are expanding their networks and institutions and investing in their long-term plans to shape the church’s future. (Dias, The New York Times)
Read MoreThe asset manager part-owned by the Church of England is threatening to sell its shares in the fast-food chain McDonald’s unless it engages more with church concerns about modern-day slavery. (Hosking, The Times UK)
Read MoreFrom cash bets on websites to online games modeled after fantasy football leagues and casual wagers among friends and families, the popularity of guessing and gambling on the future of the papacy is increasing worldwide, experts and participants say. (Murru & Hui, The AP News)
Read MoreNumbers vary and the demographics are complicated, but according to one major study by the Pew Research Center, only 69 per cent of Latin Americans identified as Catholic in 2013, down from 94 per cent in the 1950s. (Tegel, The Telegraph)
Read MoreWhile Pope Franci s accomplished a lot in his 12-year papacy, he left much unfinished business and many challenges for his successor — from the Vatican’s disastrous finances to the wars raging on multiple continents and discontent among traditionalists about his crackdown on the old Latin Mass. (Winfield, AP News)
Read MoreAs a millenniums-old symbol of Christian faith, the cross would seem somewhat immune to trendiness. But cross necklaces and pendants have been in vogue before and may be again as some feel more comfortable embracing their faith and seek community with others. (Sidell, The New York Times)
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