Second Vatican Council

Pope Francis has decided to give women the right to vote at an upcoming meeting of bishops, an historic reform that reflects his hopes to give women greater decision-making responsibilities and laypeople more say in the life of the Catholic Church.

Pope Francis called for all Christian denominations to celebrate Easter on the same date. This seems harmless and practical, even a pacifist move but a backlash followed. Well-known Russian theologian Protodeacon Andrey Kurayev expressed his thoughts on the internet: “The Pope’s proposal to designate a single all-Christian Easter day is unrealistic,” he wrote.

Dear Pope Francis,

As I as writing these lines, your plane was about to land in Ankara. As an ordinary Turk, and a Muslim, I just wanted to wish you welcome, and share some thoughts about Turkey, Islam, and, if you don't mind, even about your mission.