Archive
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Articles
What We’ve Been Reading—Autumn 2025
First Things staff share their most recent autumn reading recommendations.
Heritage and the Right
The editors discuss the troubles at Heritage, the conservative think tank whose president recently touched off a controversy by releasing a video statement in support of Tucker Carlson. The...
Pope and Parliament
The editors discuss Great Britain’s assisted suicide bill, Pope Leo’s first major interview, and Charlie Kirk’s memorial service. Dan Hitchens joins Julia Yost. The conversation is embedded below. For...
Turning Point
The editors discuss the assassination of Charlie Kirk and the rise of political violence in America. Rusty Reno joins Julia Yost. The conversation is embedded below. For your long-term convenience,...
Winners of the Second Annual First Things Poetry Prize
We are pleased to announce the winners of the second annual First Things Poetry Prize. T. O. Brandon has won first place for his poem “Madonna and Child (after...
What We’ve Been Reading—Summer 2025
Upon reading my short stories, Jaspreet Singh Boparai urged me to read the French Decadents, especially J. K. Huysmans. This summer I sprinted through The Damned (Là-Bas), enthralled...
At Home and Abroad
The editors discuss conservatism’s big wins at the Supreme Court and America’s military and diplomatic ventures in the Middle East. Rusty Reno joins Julia Yost. The conversation is embedded below....
Last Call for Submissions to the First Things Poetry Prize
The second annual First Things Poetry Prize is open for submissions until June 30. Dana Gioia is this year’s outside judge. $2,000 will be awarded to the winner and $1,000 to...
L.A. and Elon
The editors discuss the immigration riots in Los Angeles, and Donald Trump’s feud with Gavin Newsom. Then they discuss that other feud. Rusty Reno joins Julia Yost. The conversation...
The Popecast
The editors discuss the first days of the pontificate of Leo XIV, the first American pope. Then, a report on the pope’s brothers. Rusty Reno, editor Dan Hitchens, and...
What We’ve Been Reading—May
R. R. Reno A friend recommended Balcony in the Forest by Julien Gracq. The French writer published a number of novels in the mid-twentieth century that depict characters in...
Pius vs. Innocent
While waiting for news from the real-life conclave, the editors re-watch the 2024 feature film Conclave and the 2017 HBO series The Young Pope. Then they air their hopes...
Francis and Following
The editors discuss Pope Francis, whose twelve-year pontificate ended with his death on Easter Monday. Then the staff preview their picks for the upcoming conclave. Rusty Reno and Dan...
What We’ve Been Reading—March
Virginia Aabram I’m reading two books this Lent, the first of which is a reminder of what is real, and the second a reminder of what is not. The...
Snow What?
The editors discuss the live-action Snow White, Disney’s biggest flop in recent memory. Did the star hijack it with her woke statements—or was she scapegoated? Is Disney worthy of...
