Among the parade of priests and nuns who stroll in and around Vatican City, there is a special breed of journalist who is tasked with explaining the pope and the Roman curia to the world. These people are known as Vatican watchers — a “Vaticanista” in Italian — and they've been around since the 1960s. Even in the digital age, these journalists have become essential to understanding the church.
Read MoreThe U.S. may see 100,000 churches close, and this issue could help determine the success or failure of many downtowns and neighborhoods over the next three to four decades. There is no easy solution to guarantee a successful initiative. The process requires attention to issues of real estate, faith institutions, communities and resources. The skills of urbanists are needed in America’s heartland.
Read More
