RNS Morning Report - A year after his death, what is Pope Francis' Legacy?

What Stuck: Reading Pope Francis a Year Later The papacy of Francis was, in hindsight, splashy, turbulent, and not without tumult as he reformed the Curia and financial practices of the Vatican, brought the Church through the revelations of mass sexual scandal, and in some cases, even redefined who was Catholic enough for communion. On this week's episode host Amanda Henderson and RNS Vatican reporter Claire Giangravè look at what of Francis' legacy will be durable… and what may just have been packaging. As Giangravè notes, "Francis's legacy is not defined by what he changed in doctrine, rather in how he changed the Church's understanding of itself — and its place in the world.” Listen to the episode on RNS or wherever you get your podcasts. Top Stories What Stuck: Reading Pope Francis a Year Later (RNS) — From symbolic gestures to structural shifts, what carried on — and what looks different now. Faith groups seek out founding documents in bid to rescue democracy (RNS) — The Faith250 initiative has 209 Christian, Jewish and Muslim congregations signed up to study 'America’s sacred texts' in a mission to stem the country’s democratic backsliding. New Yorkers recall Sikh history of social justice at Vaisakhi festival (RNS) — 'For me, Vaisakhi is a celebration of life, of spring, of harvest, of community,' said attendee Manisha Berma. 'I think one of the primary characteristics that defines the religion is the act of service, and the mentality that looks beyond the religion itself (to) its service to humanity.' Iran reopens Strait of Hormuz, but Trump says blockade on Iranian ships and ports will stay in force BEIRUT (AP) — Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X that the crucial waterway, through which about 20% of the world's oil is shipped, was now fully open to commercial vessels, as a 10-day truce between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon appeared to hold. Opinion The deconstruction narrative has a rage problem. Taylor Tomlinson has the antidote. (RNS) — You cannot be a humorless deconstructionist on a comedy stage. For Catholic voters, Trump’s record may be catching up with him (RNS) — Catholic disillusionment with Trump did not start with his fight with Pope Leo. It has been growing since he took office. ICYMI A rural college uses ancient Islamic archives to reconnect students to African legacy (RNS) — Seeing handwritten works on law, theology, astronomy and other subjects challenges the narrative that enslaved Africans arrived in the US with little education or scholarly traditions. House passes rare bipartisan bill to protect Haitians from deportation (RNS) — The bill is now heading to the Senate, and President Donald Trump announced he would veto it if it reached his desk. Support Our Work As a nonprofit newsroom that covers all faiths, RNS sits uniquely at the intersection of freedom of the press and freedom of religion. News tips or feedback? Email comments@religionnews.com. Like the Morning Report? Share it with a friend. Forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe here. We rely on reader donations to power our reporting. Donate here. Or send a check to: Religion News Foundation PO Box 1808 Columbia, MO 65205

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