The Next Pope Needs to Preserve Judeo-Christian Civilization

by Lawrence A. Franklin • May 7, 2025 at 5:00 am

Some Catholics who are sensitive to the Holy See's influence on international affairs may be hoping for a Pope who exercises decisive moral clarity in condemning brutal behavior, whether in Africa, China or elsewhere.
Pope Francis seemed to be infrequent in his condemnation of Islamist atrocities and when he did condemn them, he would be quick to criticize those who equated the religion of Islam with violence. Mass murders of Catholics and other Christians by Islamists take place daily in Nigeria, Mozambique, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
There are heroic candidates among the "Papabiles" (Papal possibles) such as the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who offered himself in exchange for the hostages seized by the Gaza terrorist group Hamas.
Although the Vatican's reason for being is to guide souls to God, its pronouncements on secular affairs not only have a profound impact, literally, on the lives of millions of Catholics, but on preserving the Judeo-Christian values upon which civilization is built, as well.

Pictured: A prelate walks on St Peter's Square a day prior to the start of the conclave, with the St Peter's Basilica in the background, in the Vatican, on May 6, 2025. (Photo by Gabriel Bouys/AFP via Getty Images)

While the world's 1.4 billion Catholics wait prayerfully for the elevation to the papacy of the 267^th pope, successor to the Christ-appointed St. Peter, most of the rest of humanity may be wondering what impact the new pontiff could have on global affairs.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leadership, which did not send a representative to the funeral of Pope Francis, has cause to be attentive. If this week's Papal Conclave selects Philippines Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, the Archbishop of Manila, CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping would have reason for concern.

Continue Reading Article

President Trump Is Right: Make VE Day, 'Victory in Europe,' May 8th, A National Holiday

by Lawrence Kadish • May 7, 2025 at 4:00 am

By observing Victory in Europe Day, we honor those who defeated a darkness that can still be found in our worst nightmares. That generation's sacrifices can never be forgotten, nor their ultimate gift of freedom repaid. Let us pause this month and pay homage to the events and people of long ago and vow to never forget. Pictured: Crowds celebrate VE Day in Times Square, New York City, on 8th May 1945. (Photo by FPG/Archive Photos/Getty Images)

I was just a young boy when World War II ended, but I can still remember the enormous burst of elation in my Brooklyn neighborhood when it was announced on May 8, 1945 that Germany had surrendered. We knew that Imperial Japan was still a tough and dangerous adversary, but no one knew that three months and two atomic bombs later, the war would be brought to an immediate end.

As we approach the 80th anniversary of the conclusion of World War II, we are morally compelled to reflect on a seminal conflict that took over 70 million lives. We need to memorialize that enormous loss while appreciating that it reshaped the global order then, and continues to impact us today and far into the future.

President Donald J. Trump is correct in stating that the end of this conflict is so important it deserves to be observed by this nation every year.

Continue Reading Article