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A Louisiana Black Catholic considers Pope Leo XIV
Dr. Darrell St. Romain on the history that has led the Catholic Church to its first American pope, a Creole with a complex family background.

Cardinal Wilton Gregory says Mass at Rome titular church ahead of 2025 papal conclave
The Black Catholic prelate gathered with his Italian faithful amid scheduled Masses with cardinals in town to elect a successor to Pope Francis.

Reconstructed Fort Mose, first free Black settlement in America, opening May 9
The $3M project is the fruit of decades of advocacy promoting the Spanish Black Catholic site in St. Augustine, Florida—the nation's oldest city.

Kobe Bryant, Jason Kidd enter Naismith Hall of Fame again with Olympic 'Redeem Team'
Kobe Bryant is again entering the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, this time as part of the 2008 U.S. men’s Olympic squad, also known as the “Redeem Team.” He is one of two Catholics from the roster, along with Jason Kidd. The hoop hall’s class of 2025

'God is present among the poor': Society of St. Vincent de Paul opens advocacy office in Washington
The new hub on Capitol Hill will serve the Catholic poverty relief organization's lobbying work to the nation's federal legislators.

As a Black Catholic, I believe faith belongs in the fight for a more sustainable future.
Leonard Robinson on the challenges facing religious activism in environmental spaces and how inclusive collaboration is key to the green movement.

Parolin and Prevost: A tale of two papabile
Nate Tinner-Williams on the unforeseen ascension of an American pope and the swift reduction of an old Italian guard.

Amid conclave, Black Catholic theologians remember Pope Francis, look to future
Drs. Kathleen Dorsey Bellow and Andrew Prevot give perspective as cardinals select a new pope to lead the worldwide Catholic Church.

Cardinal Wilton Gregory says Mass at Rome titular church ahead of 2025 papal conclave
The Black Catholic prelate gathered with his Italian faithful amid scheduled Masses with cardinals in town to elect a successor to Pope Francis.

Saint Frances Academy, nation's oldest Black Catholic school, to open middle school in fall 2025
The historic Baltimore institution, founded by the Oblate Sisters of Providence in 1828, announced the news earlier this month.

Surviving Catholic clerical sex abuse is not new, and it's not White.
Christopher Gurley on the stories of Black Catholic survivors—a demographic often forgotten in the push to address the Church's living scourge.

Archdiocese of Chicago sues claimants who alleged abuse at Black Catholic parish
Two defendants are among some 30 individuals alleged to have conspired in filing false claims against notoriously former priest Daniel McCormack.

Stray bullet hits new chapel at Loyola High School in Detroit
The Black Catholic all-boys school dedicated its St. Peter Claver Chapel five days before a shooting damaged a window at the new worship space.

Lillian Boutté, international jazz and gospel singer, dead at 75
The Black Catholic musician from New Orleans recorded albums across continents and genres and starred Off-Broadway during a six-decade career.

Sr Marcia Hall elected superior general of the Oblate Sisters of Providence, nation's oldest Black Catholic order
The New Jersey native and former university administrator has been a member of the Oblates, the nation's oldest Black Catholic order, since 1998.

Saint Frances Academy, nation's oldest Black Catholic school, to open middle school in fall 2025
The historic Baltimore institution, founded by the Oblate Sisters of Providence in 1828, announced the news earlier this month.

Charlene Roberts-Hayden, pioneering computer scientist and Black Catholic official, dead at 86
The Massachusetts native helped popularize a formerly top-secret coding language and later led the Black Catholic office in the Archdiocese of Boston.

Dr. William Tate IV tapped as next president of Rutgers University
Since 2021, the Catholic-raised academic has served as the first Black president of Louisiana State University.

Saint Frances Academy, nation's oldest Black Catholic school, to open middle school in fall 2025
The historic Baltimore institution, founded by the Oblate Sisters of Providence in 1828, announced the news earlier this month.

Charlene Roberts-Hayden, pioneering computer scientist and Black Catholic official, dead at 86
The Massachusetts native helped popularize a formerly top-secret coding language and later led the Black Catholic office in the Archdiocese of Boston.

Fr Jeff Harvey, acclaimed Vincentian professor and preacher, dead at 61
The Los Angeles native spent more than three decades as a parish priest and seminary professor in the United States and Oceania.

Lillian Boutté, international jazz and gospel singer, dead at 75
The Black Catholic musician from New Orleans recorded albums across continents and genres and starred Off-Broadway during a six-decade career.

Review: 'The Chosen: Last Supper' continues show's epic Biblical run
Jonathan Roumie's Jesus and the gang are back for the bombastic beginnings of the Passion, bringing suspense and intrigue to the small screen.

Johnny Mathis retiring from live music after 70 years
The West Coast crooner and reported Catholic convert had several number-one hits and chart records during a run of success in the Golden Era of Pop.

First African-American opera premieres after 138 years
Edmond Dédé's "Morgiane" was performed on tour this year for the first time since being created by the Black Creole composer in 1887.

Charles Rangel, trailblazing Black congressional voice, dead at 94
The Harlem activist was the first Black chair of the House Ways and Means Committee before an unceremonious exit after facing ethics charges.

A Louisiana Black Catholic considers Pope Leo XIV
Dr. Darrell St. Romain on the history that has led the Catholic Church to its first American pope, a Creole with a complex family background.

The rich man's last dance: How to respond to Trump's faux conservatism with solidarity
Dr. Ronald E. Smith on how he envisions government that balances compassion and the rule of law—a concept seemingly alien to the current administration.

Surviving Catholic clerical sex abuse is not new, and it's not White.
Christopher Gurley on the stories of Black Catholic survivors—a demographic often forgotten in the push to address the Church's living scourge.

Poem: THE LIFE WE LIVE
Dorothy Dempsey's latest, on the necessary intersection of life and love in the modern world.

Poem: THE BEAUTY OF WORDS
Dorothy Dempsey's latest verse, on the power of the creative voice.

Poem: A LIFE WORTH LIVING
Every life is a life worth living. A special gift from God. No matter what the circumstances. It must be held in high regard. There are many battles in life. That makes you stumble and fall. But the will of God makes you stand up tall. For the life you
Editors' Picks

White smoke, Black pope? Pope Leo XIV, first American pontiff, has African roots
Previously unknown genealogy on the 69-year-old Chicago native was revealed by genealogists shortly after white smoke rose in St. Peter's Square.

What does JD Vance—and Springfield, Ohio—owe Haitian immigrants?
Jack Champagne on the GOP vice presidential candidate's fixation on the immigrant other—and the malformed Catholic imagination that animates it.

Sainthood cause for Martin de Porres Ward receives Vatican approval
The Boston-born Black missionary to Brazil died 25 years ago this summer and was the first African-American to join the Conventual Franciscans.