Pope Francis

Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory, former bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Belleville, gives communion during a Mass of ordination and installation for new Bishop Michael G. McGovern at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Belleville. July 22, 2020.

Former Belleville Bishop To Become First African American Cardinal

Jason Rosenbaum

Pope Francis named Wilton Gregory as one of 13 new cardinals. Gregory has served as the archbishop of Washington, D.C., since 2019.

Marie Andrews holds a pyx, the vessel she uses to transport the consecrated Communion wafer to homebound parishioners. Andrews is an officially sanctioned Eucharistic minister in the Roman Catholic Church.

Possibility Of Female Deacons Gives Some Catholics Hope

Shahla Farzan

Pope Francis recently opened the door to the possibility of women as deacons in the Catholic Church. Some women have sought official recognition for the ministries they already perform.

Reverend Elsie McGrath, photographed in her home on November 14, 2019, said becoming an ordained Catholic priest was "a monumental step forward in educating people about what the church really ought to be."

Arts

This St. Louisan Became A Female Priest — And Defied Centuries Of Catholic Tradition

Shahla Farzan

Elsie McGrath never thought of herself as a rulebreaker. But in 2007, she broke one of the most fundamental rules in Roman Catholicism when she became an…

During a four-day conference at Fontbonne University religious sisters under the age of 50, gathered to discuss ways to live boldly in their faith, combat social justice issues and bridge the gap between generations. June 2019

Government, Politics & Issues

Catholic Religious Sisters Gather For Conference In St. Louis

Andrea Y. Henderson

Giving Voice, a peer-led national organization for nuns and religious sisters under the age of 50, convened for a four-day conference to build bridges…

Bishop Edward K. Braxton initiated the practice of holding a Red Mass each fall to mark the start of the U.S. Supreme Court session. He's shown here in 2016 at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Belleville.

Government, Politics & Issues

Belleville Diocese Waiting To See If Pope Accepts Resignation Of Controversial Bishop

Bishop Edward K. Braxton turns 75 on Friday, prompting supporters and critics to wonder how much longer he will be leading the Catholic Diocese of…

Saint Louis University High School sophomore Bryce Van Bree (at left), music director Jeff Pottinger (center) and senior Emanuel Parker discussed what the serendipitous experience was like on Tuesday’s show.

Education

SLUH band members reflect on unexpected face-to-face moment with Pope Francis

Evie Hemphill

Last week, Jeff Pottinger and his band of 40-some Saint Louis University High School students were enjoying a trip they knew they’d remember for years to…

Health, Science & Environment

The ecological justice work of the Franciscan Sisters of Mary at West Lake landfill — and beyond

Kelly Moffitt

You may have heard of the local group of nuns who go to Bridgeton to pray for and protest over the West Lake and Bridgeton landfills, which have been the…

Arts

Dec. 8 marks 50 years since closing of Vatican II — 2 SLU professors share significance

Kelly Moffitt

Dec. 8 will mark the 50th anniversary of the closing of the Second Vatican Council. At the time, the council was a groundbreaking move as an assembly of…

John Thavis covered the Vatican for 30 years.

Arts

Vatican takes a modern approach to exorcism and the devil, author says

Patricia Rice

When veteran Vatican journalist John Thavis interviewed exorcists for his new book, many said right off that exorcism was “nothing at all like the…

Pope Francis waves to crowds gathered in Philadelphia, which include a group of De Smet Jesuit High School students and faculty.

Government, Politics & Issues

Local Catholics bring home lessons from pope's visit; critics call for more action

As St. Louisans who traveled to see Pope Francis during his U.S. visit in Philadelphia last weekend return home, some said they were "awestruck" by an…