John Paul II – News, Research and Analysis – The Conversation

Representatives from the First Nations Inuit and Metis communities, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, after their meeting with Pope Francis, on April 1, 2022. AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino

April 8, 2022

Pope Francis apologized for the harm done to First Nations peoples, but what does a pope’s apology mean?

Annie Selak, Georgetown University

A Catholic theologian writes about why papal apologies can be meaningful, even when some may see them as mere words.

Pope Francis said the death penalty, can never be sanctioned because it ‘attacks’ the inherent dignity of all humans. AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, file

August 3, 2018

Can you be Christian and support the death penalty?

Mathew Schmalz, College of the Holy Cross

Pope Francis has said that death penalty violates the dignity of a person. But, this might just deepen the debate among Christians, who for a long time have been divided over the issue.

What does it mean for a pope to apologize? AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

April 17, 2018

Pope Francis’ apology for abuse in Chile would once have been unthinkable

Mathew Schmalz, College of the Holy Cross

Popes are not infallible, yet apologies are rare.

A bison on its way in the Bialowieza forest in Poland. By Herr stahlhoefer - Own work, Public Domain,

May 2, 2017

Do passages in the Bible justify cutting down forests?

Matthew Hall, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington

In countries that identify predominantly as Christian, scripture and its interpretations carry serious sociopolitical weight.

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