I love random nuggets hidden in modern urban areas. Today’s nugget: El Paso High School has a principal’s apartment inside the building (no longer used). #elpaso

Starting this Sunday, you’ll hear about a few liturgies to formally begin Pope Leo XIV’s ministry. Leo XIV is the Pope, with full authority, when he accepts his election without needing any additional liturgy or ritual. Similarly, the King of England became the king immediately upon the death of his mother, yet, in both cases,…
Many blessings to our new Holy Father Leo XIV! With all new popes, we don’t really know how the Spirit will lead them to lead the Church. I remember when Pope Benedict XVI was elected. Local news interviewed me on the narrative that Cardinal Ratzinger was “God’s German Shepherd”—a hardass conservative. As I said then,…
Tomorrow afternoon for those in Rome or tomorrow morning for those in the U.S. (), the Cardinals will take the short trip from their temporary housing at Casa Santa Marta to the Sistine Chapel of the Apostolic Palace to begin the conclave to elect the 267th Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church. While I’m sure…
As the second day in Rome—and the first full day—without a Pope comes to a close, a few things have happened or been announced since yesterday’s message. Confirmation of Death and Transfer The Camerlengo, per the rite of papal funerals that Pope Francis revised last year (Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis), confirmed his death. Pope Francis…
The Apostolic See is Vacant. In other words, the Pope is dead. Cardinal Farrell, the Camerlengo, announced that Pope Francis died this morning at 7:35 a.m. local time in Rome. The Camerlengo is a position appointed by the Pope (during his life) whose responsibilities include confirming the death of the Pope, sealing the Apostolic Palace…
Last week, my employer, Automattic, announced a restructuring. “Restructuring” at Automattic isn’t terribly unusual. Team structures change regularly. This one, though, included a layoff or “reduction in force” in today’s jargon, which is the first for Automattic. We’ve had pushes for improving performance management, which has led to an increase in departures, including sometimes a…