Before mourners in their thousands gather in St. Peter’s Square to grieve, before leaders from around the world arrive to pay their respects, and long before cardinals cloister themselves to consider the future, the Vatican holds a small ceremony …
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I Watched the Pope Visit the Forgotten and Convert the Skeptical
I remember the people. Thousands of them, sometimes hundreds of thousands, pressed together in aging stadiums, lining the streets of one place or another. In the Mexican state of Chiapas, so many people crowded in a local stadium in 2016 that it …
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Trump and Zelensky Are Among the Leaders Planning to Attend Francis’ Funeral
Presidents, prime ministers and royalty are preparing to travel to Rome for Pope Francis’ funeral, which will be the most prominent gathering of world leaders since President Trump’s inauguration in January. The funeral on Saturday will cap almost a …
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‘The Two Popes,’ ‘Conclave’ and Francis’ Autobiography: The Papacy in Recent Culture
Catholicism, for better or worse, has produced some of the greatest art in human history: Soaring cathedrals, stunning paintings and endless writings about humanity itself. Now, as the world reacts to the death of Pope Francis on Monday at age 88 …
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An Acadia-to-Zion Guide to Visiting National Parks in an Uncertain Summer
Sign up for the Travel Dispatch newsletter. Essential news on the changing travel landscape, expert tips and inspiration for your future trips. Get it sent to your inbox.Firings, resignations and delays in seasonal hiring have clouded the coming …
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How to Bird-Watch: A Traveler’s Guide
According to a survey from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 96 million Americans are bird-watchers, or 37 percent of the population aged 16 and above. Most observe from home, but 43 million have traveled a mile or more to go birding. Amy Tan …
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How to Haggle When There’s No Set Price
Bargaining, a common practice in many countries, may seem daunting to first timers. Here are some tips to get a fair deal, and maybe even make a new friend.
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Francis’ Death Silences a Voice for the Voiceless
As democratic values and alliances were being turned upside down, the pope was a consistent moral guidepost. Who can play that role now?
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Russia and Ukraine, Under Trump Pressure, Signal Openness to Direct Talks
Both the Kremlin and President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine suggested this week that they would be open to direct negotiations, making new but tentative diplomatic overtures as President Trump pushes for a peace deal. Mr. Zelensky said on social …
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