King Charles’s address to Congress in Washington was a masterpiece of British humor and rhetoric. It received applause and consensus from both parties because he addressed Congress as a whole. At the same time, it was a carefully crafted diplomatic attempt to mend fences between the two sides of the Atlantic, with religion at its […]
Understanding the United States
Trump’s presidency is the latest development of a long way where those “left behind” rallied for a new messianism that changed the old deism of the framers and ushered in a new religious-political wave of the US. Currently, judgment seems to prevail over understanding when it comes to the United States. However, without understanding, judgment […]
The Making of the Messiah: Politics, Religion, and Law in Trump’s America
A certain form of messianism has been woven into the cultural and political fabric of the United States from the very beginning. It is within this historical framework that Trump’s making of the Messiah should be understood. The day when the Supreme Court granted Trump immunity regarding the events of January 6, 2021, represents the […]
Pope Leo vs Secretary Hegseth: On the Bad Use of Religion
Can one ask for God’s blessing in prayer for a war that spares no defenseless or blameless civilians? Secretary of Defense Peter Hegseth—renamed Secretary of War by the current U.S. administration’s thirst for power—believes it is both possible and necessary. Since the start of the war against Iran, which the United States is waging alongside […]
Pope Leo XIV: Francis’ Last Surprise
Yesterday in New York, Gerard O’Connell and Elisabetta Piqué presented their book, The Election of Pope Leo XIV: The Last Surprise of Pope Francis, published by Orbis Books. Fordham University’s Center on Religion and Culture organized the event in collaboration with America Media, the publishing group behind the eponymous magazine of the U.S. Jesuits. The […]
Venezuela: Amnesty and Reconciliation
In late January, Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez announced her intention to introduce a general amnesty law covering the period from 1999 to the present. On February 5, the ruling party presented a bill to the National Assembly that would contribute to rebuilding democratic coexistence among Venezuelan citizens by granting amnesty. Critics of the proposed law […]



