Catholic Nutshell News: Friday 5/2/25
Topics include: Chimney installed on Sistine Chapel, Missionary ‘lab’ to draw young people, Increase in Catholic searches, & Cardinals debating 20th-century problems
Fridays, "Living that coconut kinda life."
Today's sources: National Catholic Register, The UK Tablet, Catholic News Agency, Crux, Church Life Journal, CatholicVote, Our Sunday Visitor, & Catholic Stand. (Catholic Nutshell is a FREE subscription service for faithful, hopeful, & curious Catholics willing to exercise their Catholic News Muscle)
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CatholicVote
Chimney to announce election of pope installed on Sistine Chapel
By McKenna Snow, May 2, 2025
The roof of the Sistine Chapel received a crucial addition in preparation for the conclave—a chimney that will produce the white smoke announcing that a new pope has been elected. To unsuspecting onlookers from St. Peter’s Square, the modestly constructed chimney might appear like a simple pipe capped with a slight cowl covering. By next Wednesday, the location and task of this crucial installation will be unmissable, when it will begin regularly billowing out black or white smoke to update the world on the status of the conclave. The College of Cardinals will enter the Sistine Chapel on May 7 to begin the conclave, with the first and only vote of the day being conducted in the afternoon. To be elected pope, a cardinal needs a two-thirds majority of the College in agreement. If this majority has not been met, the chimney will produce black smoke, confirming that there is no new pope yet.
Catholic News Agency
Baltimore Archdiocese’s’ missionary ‘lab’ to draw young people
By Madalaine Elhabbal, May 2, 2025
The Archdiocese of Baltimore is launching a new initiative this summer to address the crisis of disaffiliation among young people in the Church through a proactive missionary “lab” program. “The impetus behind it is giving tools to young people who notice things and have great ideas about how to respond to needs or opportunities in their community, and giving it a structure that allows them to practice listening, practice prayerful discernment, and implement whatever project they’re working on,” the archdiocese’s coordinator of missionary discipleship, Rena Black, told CNA. “When a young person is the driving force behind something, that lights a fire under people in a way that nothing else can,” she said.
The UK Tablet
Huge increase in searches for ‘how to become a Catholic’
By Ruth Gledhill, May 2, 2025
Searches for “how to become Catholic” have increased by 373% across the world between 20 and 26 April, according to analysis of data from Google Trends. Pope Francis appeared in public in Rome on 20 April to bless the Easter crowds, then passed away on the 21st April 2025. The data, by Vatican Tickets & Tours, reveals that searches for how to become Catholic increased by more than three times, which they say is “unprecedented.” Interest in the Catholic faith and the Church worldwide is expected to grow further as the College of Cardinals prepares to meet in the Sistine Chapel next Wednesday to begin electing a successor to Pope Francis. The new data follows research published last month by the Bible Society, which shows a rise in Gen Z Catholic attendance (18-24).
National Catholic Register
World’s oldest person — Sr. Inah Canabarro Lucas — dead at 116
By Alyssa Murphy, May 1, 2025
The oldest person in the world, Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas, has died. Born in 1908 in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, she once said it was her relationship with God that kept her going all these years. “He is the secret of life. He is the secret of everything.” In March 2024, Sister Inah told ACI Digital that one of the secrets of her longevity is prayer: “I pray the Rosary every day for everyone in the world.” In January, she became the oldest person in the world, following the death of Japan’s Tomiko Itooka, as confirmed by LongeviQuest, a group of researchers specializing in mapping people who are over 100 years old.
CRUX
Cardinals debating 20th-century problems in a 21st-century world
By Charles Collins, May 2, 2025
They are not perfect strangers to one another – not necessarily or in the main – but many of them don’t really know each other that well. A record number of cardinals are eligible to vote for the next pope – 135 are under 80, although at least two will not be attending. Reading the news – and mea culpa for that – the questions facing the Church as we enter the conclave are centered on conservatives focused on “traditional values” and Latin Masses, and progressives pushing for gay marriage and women clergy. These are the debates of the second half of the 20th century. The first part of the 21st century sees a society questioning what it means to be human, with “post humanism” being pushed by the leaders of many technology firms.
Our Sunday Visitor
Can 1 million frozen embryos be placed for adoption?
By Katie Yoder, May 1, 2025
Katie McMahon and her husband realized the gravity of using in vitro fertilization, or IVF, to conceive when, years later, they needed to make a decision about their final four embryonic children frozen in time by cryopreservation. “The dilemma became ‘Are we going to choose embryo adoption?’ or ‘Are we going to try to gestate them ourselves?'” Today, McMahon helps other women navigate questions like these as the co-founder of Shiloh IVF Ministry, a ministry that offers hope and healing those impacted by IVF. Her story is one of many: Estimates suggest more than 1 million frozen embryos exist in the United States alone. Each of these embryonic children is a human person with the same dignity and essential rights (including the right to life) as a born child or any other human being, according to church teaching.
The Pillar
Cardinal Chaput on Francis, and what's next
By The Pillar, April 29, 2025
“He had a naturally generous instinct toward the people he met, and he understood the nature of small gestures. Pope Francis understood that. We could all learn from it, and the world would be a better place if we did,” said Archbishop Charles Chaput, OFM Cap. Yet, Chaput raised criticisms during the Francis pontificate about issues that concerned him. “The most damaging parts of Francis’ style were his lack of interest in clarifying theological issues and his obvious distaste for some parts of the Church. And he declined to clarify theological debates when he was called on to do so.” On most issues of a Christian life, Chaput said Rome is “far away and not immediately relevant. It’s the local bishop and his pastors who shape the tenor of Catholic culture.” Regarding the conclave, he said, “I think most of the cardinals will bring an honest desire for the good of the Church into the conclave. I have confidence in God and in his Church, whatever the outcome.”
UCA News
Kashmiri Catholics pray for peace amid India-Pakistan row
By UCA News reporter, May 1, 2025
Catholics in the troubled Kashmir have been praying for peace in the region while tension continues between India and Pakistan following the recent deadly terrorist attack. The diocese has about 9,000 Catholics in the Indian administered Kashmir. The disputed region is administered partly by India and Pakistan. Tensions and diplomatic rows sparked between arch rivals India and Pakistan after armed terrorists killed 26 Indian tourists on the Indian side of Kashmir on April 22. Both countries have withdrawn their diplomats, revoked visas, banned the use of their airspace, and asked armed forces to remain fully prepared. Media reports of exchanges of fire between Indian and Pakistani soldiers have been reported. “We are experiencing a moment of tension and fear that is affecting the entire population,” Bishop Ivan Pereira in India-administered Kashmir told Fides.
Pillar, CNA & Satire for Friday, May 2, 2025
The Pillar
Pillar Articles for 5/2/25
The Pillar is an American news and investigative journalism website focusing on the Catholic Church. Founded D Flynn, former editor-in-chief of Catholic News Agency and former chancellor of the Archdiocese of Denver; and Ed Condon, former Washington, D.C., bureau editor of Catholic News Agency
Parolin may not be China’s preferred conclave candidate - It has begun to appear that China could be laying the groundwork to throttle back a Parolin candidacy — in favor of another papabile.
The short and the long of conclave timing - Whether the conclave takes 'just a few days' or just a few days more could make all the difference to the result
‘The Church is not a substitute of the UN’: Cardinal Baselios Cleemis - The head of the Syro-Malankara Church discusses the nature of the global Church, the conclave, and why Christianity is always a 'minority community'
Catholic News Agency
CNA’s top headlines — May 2, 2025
Catholic News Agency provides reliable and free up-to-the-minute news affecting the Universal Church, with updates on the words of the Holy Father and the Holy See.
U.S. ambassador-designate to Vatican clears Senate Foreign Relations Committee - May 1, 2025 - By Madalaine Elhabbal - All 12 Republicans on the Senate committee voted in favor of Brian Burch, while all 10 of the committee’s Democrat members voted against him.
Cardinal Dolan, Bishop Barron to serve on Trump’s new religious liberty commission - May 1, 2025 - By Tyler Arnold - Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Bishop Robert Barron have been tapped to serve on a new presidential commission on religious liberty.
Sen. Hawley urges FDA to reinstate abortion drug safety regulations - May 1, 2025 - By Kate Quiñones - Citing a newly published study from the Ethics and Public Policy Center, Hawley urged the FDA to act, saying the “health and safety of American women depend on it.”
Babylon Bee’s Satire News
Heaven Issues Clarification That God Answers All Prayers But This Doesn't Mean He'll Give You Force Powers
By Theology Staff, April 30, 2022
Sources close to the High Throne of Heaven confirmed that God does indeed hear all your prayers, but that doesn't mean that He'll give you Force powers, even if you ask really hard. The angel Uriel issued the clarification after getting tired of people claiming that God doesn't hear prayers just because He didn't instantly give them the ability to lift heavy objects with just their minds. "Just because you can't do the Force push doesn't mean God doesn't hear you," Uriel explained. "The Lord has reiterated many, many times that He hears all prayers. That doesn't mean you will be able to stack rocks with your mind while doing handstands, okay?" At publishing time, 4-year-old Stephanie Surman, who had been praying for a pony very hard for the last two weeks, was absolutely distraught to find out about the heavenly announcement.
Nutshell reflections for 5/2/25:
USCCB Daily Reflection: AUDIO - May 2, 2025
Memorial of Saint Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
ChurchPOP
'The Selfie Generation' of the youngest Cardinals
By Victoria Arruda, May 1, 2025
Three of the youngest cardinals participating in the upcoming Conclave shared an unexpected moment of lightheartedness, taking a selfie together inside Saint Peter’s Basilica. The viral social media image shows that faith and reverence meet the digital age with authenticity and openness — Cardinal Americo Manuel, 51, of Portugal; Cardinal Mykola, 45, a Ukrainian Greek Catholic based in Australia; and Cardinal Giorgio Marengo, 50, of Mongolia. With the conclave set to begin May 7, the younger generation of cardinals is attracting attention. Of the 135 eligible electors, 15 are under the age of 60. Journalist Jean-Pierre Denis also posted the photo, along with another selfie and the caption: "The first conclave of the selfie generation."
Catholic Exchange
Military vocations answer a call to service and leadership
By Maggie Phillips, May 2, 2023
Teaching leadership to the Menlo Park seminarians was a natural fit for Fr. Halladay, who had taught leadership and ethics to mid-career Army officers at Fort Gordon, Georgia (now called Fort Eisenhower). Both young priests and young officers must learn skills for “leading when [they’re] not ultimately in charge.” For the signal officers in Georgia, that meant serving under lieutenant colonels, colonels, and generals. For future priests, that meant serving as an associate pastor under a senior priest and a bishop. “You always have to be mindful of your superior’s vision and what their leadership philosophy is,” he said, “and then also be able to nest your leadership philosophy within theirs.” This vision of priesthood requires a degree of self-knowledge combined with humility, which Halladay said the military emphasizes in developing its leaders. This profoundly Christian concept upholds self-sacrifice and denial by those entrusted with responsibility over people’s lives.
Catholic Weekly
Let’s welcome the new guy—whoever he may be
By Dr Philippa Martyr, April 30, 2025
The new pope is already there in the College of Cardinals. There are probably several potential new popes in the mix. The Holy Spirit is now waiting to see each cardinal's choices. Not all of them will make good choices, or choices motivated by higher intentions. That’s because not all of them are the good men we would hope to see in the college of cardinals. There was an old saying about how it was best to stay out of God’s kitchen. Rome reminds me of God’s kitchen, especially at times like this. Over the next week or so, they will see how smelly and dangerous God’s kitchen can be. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to lean heavily on the poor decision makers in the college of cardinals and bolster the good decision makers. And let’s all of us welcome the new guy—whoever he may be—and let’s try to make this work, all over again. That’s all we can do.
Catholic Stand
Our Lord gives us seven pieces of armor for protection
By Carol Monaco, May 2, 2025
Sometimes I feel like a cartoon character with an angel on one shoulder and the devil on the other. Which one will rule the day? The answer should be easy. However, that devil on my shoulder persists in taunting me because the battle between good and evil is an ongoing part of the human experience. Our Lord gives us seven pieces of armor for protection. That armor includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit (Word of God), and prayer [Ephesians 6:14–18]. “Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil” [Ephesians 6:11]. Wearing God’s armor is not a passive act. We are saying yes to God as He calls us to live our faith and partake in His divine nature for the sake of our salvation.
Image of Coconut by Celio Nicoli from Pixabay
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