That is the judgment of the editor of L’Osservatore Romano, Gian Maria Vian, whose paper’s rather neutral (neutered, to some) coverage of Obama has been in decided contrast to segments of the American church–and no small cause of consternation to such segments. The Vatican editor’s verdict comes in an interview with an Italian journalist, Paulo…

Many would agree, no doubt. But that line, from Dan Gilgoff’s conversation with Gingrich on his conversion to Catholicism, refers not to his political philosophy (that comes later) but to part of the appeal of the church for the former speaker and GOP presidential aspirant (possibly). So it’s not such a bad thing. (Besides, color…

Er, yer Holiness, sir… Must be spring in Rome, as Benedict brought out the saturno, so-called because of its resemblance to the planet. From today’s weekly general audience. [Photo via CNS/Reuters]

At the Immanent Frame, the sociologist of religion Michelle Dillon sees a “Catholic sensibility” in Obama’s commencement address at Notre Dame: “I am not thinking of Obama’s references to the “imperfections of man” and to “original sin,” or to the invocation of “God’s creation”–though these religious references are important. More striking was how Obama, a…

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