Though Conclave is lazy and pandering, the book version does include an interesting examination of the intrinsic tensions within the Roman Catholic Church as embodying both temporal politics and spiritual guidance

On July 16, more than 7 million Venezuelan citizens voted in a national referendum. The Venezuelan people have spoken. Now the world needs to respond.

The headlines are exasperating, if a bit hyperbolic: Reuters writes, “Pope Says Weapons Manufacturers Can’t Call Themselves Christians” while the Daily Beast puts it, “Pope: Gun Makers Are Not Christians.”