Former Ambassador To The Vatican Discusses Possibility of "Just War" Against ISIS

Francis Rooney, the U. S. Ambassador to the Vatican under President George W. Bush weighs in on the rise of the Islamic State. and the terrorists' brutal tear through Syria and Iraq.  Ambassador Rooney writes in his book The Global Vatican, An Inside Look at The Catholic Church, World Politics and the Extraordinary Relationship Between the United States and the Holy See, that the relationship hasn't been so extraordinary since the election of Barack Obama as President in 2008.

Rooney notes how the U. S. effort to seek a community of nations to confront the threat posed by Islamic extremism is the same message Pope Francis delivered months ago, and wonders whether 

the extinction of Christians in parts of the middle east could have been prevented with a better working relationship between the White House and the Vatican.

Global Congress of Jesuit Alumni Coming to Cleveland

The quadrennial Global Congress of the World Union of Jesuit Alumni (WUJA) will bring thousands of  Jesuits to Cleveland in June of 2017.

Dave Clifford, the Executive Director of the Congress, and Dave Vittatoe,  Director of Alumni Relations at John Carroll University  discuss how Cleveland landed the gathering, after the last one was held in Medellin, Columbia last year.

Leveraging The Holy See's "Soft" Power

Francis Rooney served as Ambassador to the Vatican during the second term of George W. Bush. He looks back on Pope Benedict's denunciation of radical Islam and his opposition to the war in Iraq.  And he offers his perspective on Pope Francis' efforts to reform the Vatican.

Ambassador Rooney explains why the current pope's recent comments about capitalism have been misunderstood, and are colored by Francis' Argentinian roots.

Pope Francis Spreads The Joy of the Gospel

Pope Francis isn't just the Time Magazine Person of the Year.

The gay rights magazine The Advocate today named the pope its Person of the Year for 2013 as well.

Some conservatives expressed outrage at Pope Francis' Apostolic Exhortation, released on November 24th, for his perspective on how the poor are treated. Sister Kathleen Ryan of the Diocese of Cleveland Social Action Office offers some analysis on the Holy Father's views.

Proving the pontiff practices what he preaches, he invited four homeless men to breakfast on his 77th birthday on December 17th.   And the Vatican released an interactive birthday card, featuring photos and quotes from many of his homilies since his election as pope earlier this year.

Retreat: Considering Catholicism in the Current Century

St. Angela Merici Parish in Fairview Park is hosting a retreat later this month.  Father Michael Lanning, Pastor of the parish explains how the retreat is part of the church's commitment to the Year of Faith, as declared by Pope Benedict.

Father Lanning also reflects on current Pope Francis' recent comments about healing wounds and warming the hearts of the faithful.

Also in this interview, Father Dick Sparks, the facilitator of the retreat talks about morality and ethics, and his goal for those who attend the retreat.

Bishop Lennon on Fundraising and Pope Francis

Patrick Grace, left, and Bishop Richard Lennon

It was a lofty goal.  The Catholic Diocese of Cleveland set a goal of $125 million for its Rooted in Faith, Forward in Hope campaign, during a time of strife for the church nationally and locally.  Yet despite the priest sex scandal and local church closings, the goal was exceeded by almost $50 million.

Bishop Richard Lennon and Patrick Grace, Executive Director of the Catholic Community Foundation (pictured here) talk about the campaign, how the money is being used, and what measures have been taken to ensure the money is properly accounted for.

Bishop Lennon also talks about Pope Francis' recent trip to Brazil, and reacts to the Pope's comment about gay priests. 

Father Bob Previews The Fest and Reviews the Pope

The 13th annual The Fest is this Sunday, August 4.  Father Bob Stec, Pastor of St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Brunswick gives the rundown on the entertainment and activities planned for this year's family-oriented event, and offers his views on Pope Francis' first foreign trip as Pontiff, for World Youth Day in Brazil.