I’m impressed that the Pope refused to cancel his visit to Lebanon. I’m even more impressed by the powerful words he spoke to Christians and Muslims:

He is a quiet, scholarly man. He is not blessed with the charisma or the flair for dramatic gestures that we saw in his predecessor, Pope John Paul II. He does not light up the sky or attract vast throngs. He had no ambition to be Pope. But he does his job. He speaks simple truths—-truths that the entire world needs to hear. This is precisely what he did when he met with Christian and Muslim young people in Lebanon. Let them—-and all of us—-heed his message.
The Battle of Minneapolis
The Battle of Minneapolis is the latest flashpoint in our ongoing regime-level political conflict. It pits not…
Of Roots and Adventures
I have lived in Ohio, Michigan, Georgia (twice), Pennsylvania, Alabama (also twice), England, and Idaho. I left…
Our Most Popular Articles of 2025
It’s been a big year for First Things. Our website was completely redesigned, and stories like the…