If you visit Santa Maria in Trastevere go to the Cappella Altemps in the back corner up the stairs by the sanctuary on the left. This is a fresco (1588-89) of the Council of Trent by Pasquale Cati da Iesi, a pupil of Michelangelo. At the bottom you see allegories of the virtues surrounding an allegorical figure of the Roman Church. Her foot and ferula are pressing down …. Protestantism? Probably.
Right now, I am able to accept some Mass intentions. I have a request form to use, even if we have been through this together before. Thanks! HERE
This is quite nerdy, I know, but I can’t help myself.
On 16 August 1984: The Book of Lost Tales Part Two is published. The second in The History of Middle-earth series edited by Christopher Tolkien, it contains some of the beginnings of Tolkien’s legendarium and the stories that would later lead to The Silmarillion. pic.twitter.com/5hkuBvjhCB
— Tolkien Society (@TolkienSociety) August 16, 2025
Pope Leo… 100 Days. And he STILL hasn’t solved all the problems which I want him to solve! What’s taking him so long?!?
This is behind an annoying paywall. However, I dealt with that and I can give a summary.
Pope Leo’s quiet first months leave the Catholic Church awaiting decisive moves. ?? @GavinAshenden
Read here ?? https://t.co/mv4AX863ti#Catholic #Pope #Catholicism pic.twitter.com/8qX8XTsHlb
— The Catholic Herald (@CatholicHerald) August 16, 2025
Summary: August, normally a month of rest, has instead become one of suspense for Catholics as Pope Leo XIV returns from his first hundred days. Rather than revealing a clear direction, he has offered two silences: the silence of intent, withholding signals of his priorities, and the silence of absence, retreating on holiday. This restraint has stirred widespread anxiety. Conservatives fear he will be “Francis II,” perpetuating ambiguity, while progressives fear a “Pius XIII,” reversing the trajectory of his predecessor.
So far, his actions are few and cautious. Episcopal appointments largely predated his election, and his references to synodality remain undefined, with study groups postponed indefinitely. His liturgical style (more Latin, traditional gestures) suggests continuity and dignity, yet whether future decisions will harmonize with these signs is uncertain. He appears intent on uniting the Church without openly repudiating Francis, preserving the dignity of the papal office.
Newman’s elevation to Doctor of the Church provides a key symbol. Under Leo XIII he was made cardinal, and under Leo XIV he is declared doctor—an act that, like the Pope himself, can be read in sharply different ways. Progressives see in Newman the primacy of conscience and development of doctrine; conservatives see doctrinal consistency and fidelity to revelation. Newman, like synodality and silence, reflects the ambiguity of Pope Leo’s emerging pontificate.
After one hundred days, he remains an enigma, balancing expectations from both sides, leaving the Church waiting to see whether his coming choices will reconcile or deepen its divisions.
I will add this, not against anything Gavin wrote, but mea sponte…
Beware out there, you followers of things Catholic, lest desires for papal actions become expectations and expectations become demands and demands become ultimatums… ultimata?
Pope Leo XIV has made numerous memorable remarks during the first 100 days of his pontificate (May 8 to Aug. 16). Here are some of the most notable: https://t.co/PHOHU6aaMt
— Catholic News Agency (@cnalive) August 16, 2025
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Nearly 1000 Catholics from Africa, Germany, Kazakhstan, the United States, the Philippines, Thailand, Russia, Poland — Praying the Credo in one voice. Listen to how Latin unifies the world. pic.twitter.com/eHIjSZkU1Y
— Michael J. Matt (@Michael_J_Matt) August 15, 2025
What you have been waiting for… in the world of chess…
Levon Aronian won the Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz with 2 rounds to spare. My guy finished 5th. Now we have the final event of the GCT circuit, the Sinquefield Cup in St. Louis. This is traditional classical format and with a $350,000 total prize fund. Really strong players are in this, with one wildcard admitted.
White to move and win.
NB: I’ll hold comments with solutions ’till the next day so there won’t be “spoilers” for others.
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Somewhat excited Pope and Patriarch Krill both prayed for peace during Trump/Putin meeting.
If Pope did the Consecration as our Lady asked and consecrates Russia to Her Immaculate Heart, He could invite all the Russian Clergy to join Him. Church would be stronger together! Invite all the Orthodox.
Unless Pope Leo XIV cleans out the Curia, we will still have many problems. And he needs to pay attention to every Bishop and higher that he appoints.
No easy tasks; may the Holy Ghost strengthen him.
JMJ
I have noticed in *a few* people a harsh unwillingness to give grace to Pope Leo. I do sympathize with the weariness and hurt of the past few years (and I can understand the psychological mechanism behind “if I presume he’s just like his predecessor then I won’t experience betrayal”), but it is unfair to say “the last one consumed all my good will, so I’ll give none to the current one” (and that’s not even taking into account the baseline filiality we owe the successor of St. Peter).
Father will correct me if I’m wrong with this, but one thing is what the Pope owes to God in the tending of His sheep, and another thing the pastors that we do effectively deserve. And I fear it’s somewhat easy to slip from protesting for what is owed to God and his Church as the Bride, to what we individually feel entitled to demand.
I have to say the restraint has caused me no anxiety. If anything, it reveals a person who thinks (and likely prays) before speaking and acting, who is not eager for attention, and that is, IMO, a good thing for a Pope to be.
Surely… sorry. Didn’t mean to bring up that name. I’ll try again.
Shirley, it can’t be that hard to find the papal fanon. Somebody has to know where it is! If they don’t, just start opening drawers. It has to be around somewhere! Then put it on! Easy!
I am not crazy this is a perfectly normal thing to talk about and think about and write about…
I find the Pope’s silence and restraint comforting. It does not bother me at all.
Fanon? Did someone say fanon?
I lived for a while with a papal MC who was rector of S. Cecilia in Trastevere. When JP2 came, he put out the fanon and JP2 put it on, MUCH to the consternation of the head MC, an Irishman. There is a precious photo of JP2 procession and McGee looking straight into the lens with a huge glare. The rector brought out all the most magnificent gear including dalmatic and tunic for the Pontiff. Alas, no maniple.
Found it
“And don’t call me ‘Shirley'”.
“McGee looking straight into the lens with a huge glare.”
I’d never really looked at the MC in that photograph before. The glare is priceless.
It’s more than a little silly to have all this great stuff and not use any of it.
“Fano reddenda est.”
Try this link for Fr.Ashenden’s article.
https://thecatholicherald.com/article/pope-leos-first-100-days-silence-strategy-and-the-enigma-ahead
Some of the females towards the end of the video posted by Michael Matt were throwing some major shade!
I noticed that the Holy Father used what looked like Pope Benedict’s ferula for his first Mass as Pope in the Sistine Chapel, but since then it’s been Paul VI’s. Darn. In other news, I noticed that the bishops of Malawi have issued a statement calling for more reverence for the Blessed Sacrament and encourage receiving on the tongue!