History Is Made with Pope Leo XIV; First Ever Pontiff from U.S.

 Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost today  (May 8,2025) became the first ever pope from the U.S. , a surprise selectopm by 133 cardinals from across the globe on the second day of the papal; conclave in Rome,the USA Today website reports. 

The new pontiff, who took the name :Leo XIV, greeted the thousands 0f exuberant faithful and onlookers, many overcome  with emotion as he spoke from the red velvet--draped central balcony of St. Peter's Square.  

"Peace be with you all," he told the cheering crowd in fluent Italian. Leo, who became the church's 267th pope, also spoke in Spanish in his brief address. 

Leo, 69, who was born in Chicago, was not one of the names mentioned frequently as top contenders to replace Pope Francis, who died April 21. 

He had attracted interest from papers because of his quiet style and backing of  Francis' 12--year papacy, especially his devotion to social justice issues. He is considered a centrist, so perhaps a compromise choice, but is not seen as welcoming in the LGBTQ+ comminity as Francis. 

Just an hour earlier before Prevcost was named pope, the crowd, many of whom had stood to watch for hours with eyes glued to the Sistine Chapel chimneys, roared in elation as white smoke poured into the sky and bells tolled across the plaza, signaling the new leader of the church's 1.4 billion members. 

Leo attended Villanova University and Catholic Theological Union in Chicago before earning a doctorate in cannon law from Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.

The Relationship between Ethics and Religion

The relationship between ethics and religion is a complex and varied one, with many different opinions and interpretations, the Ethics Sage website reports today (May 7, 2025). 

Religion often provides the framework for ethical belief and behacvior, as it outlines a set of standards for living a moral life. Religion can be used as a source of authority to provide guidance on how to act in a certain situation, and it provides a code of conduct to adhere to. 

On the other hand, ethics can also be seen as a way to provide an objective set of rules and principles to guide religious behavior, as well as a way to evaluate the moral implications of certain actions. All in all, the relationship between ethics and religion can be seen a a  two--way street, whereby each influences the other in order to promote morality and ensure our actions adhere to a certain set of standards. 

Religion has been a cornerstone of moral values in many societies for centuries. From the Bible to the Quran, religious texts provide guidance on how to lead a moral life. 

While ethics is based on a set of philosophical principles, religion is often based on divine commandments or teachings. Despite these differences, many religions share some core ethical values, such as respect for life, love for one another, and honesty. 

Religion provides a framework of  beliefs and values which, in turn, define ethical principles. These principles are then embedded in the culture, influencing the way people think and behave.  

Church Must Preserve Society in Time of Crime and Corruption

If the Church exists and is present in society, why is there so much criminality?, the Christian Daily website asks today (May 6, 2025).

Have we asked ourselves why crime, corruption, injustice,, and evil continue to thrive around us? Could it be because we are living in overwhelming darkness and moral decay?  

All violence and crime impact people's lives, as well as the well--being and peace of mind of families -- and therefore, also the believers who are part of the population.

Every one of us -- regardless of economic status, religion, social backfround, race, or culture -- is exposed to the growing danger of delinquency and criminality. These forces are rapidly escalating and contributing to the rise of a culture of death in our society. The proposals and measures implemented by gocvernment -- even in cooperation with all branches of the state -- are often ineffective and, at best, insufficient. 

In light of the Holy Scriptures, the Church has a role to fulfill on this earth. Analysts must look beyond the social causes of inequality, injustice, and exclusion to grasp the full nature of the human being, who is not only physical but also spiritual. 

Violence and crime originate in the sinful nature of human beings, which then take root and grow within the unjust structures of society. In this sense, the Church must engage in the spiritual and moral discernment of criminal behavior in order to offer a viable comprehensive solution to the problem of crime. 

We are called to proclaim the way of freedom as the transforming message of the good news of redemption in Christ, with the clear and powerful anointing of the spirit. Through this message, people might turn from their sins and repent -- being reconciled with God and with one another. 

Trump Seeks Huge Spending Increase on Border, Deportations

President Donald Trump wants to boost the nation's border security budget by nearly $44 billion, for one year only, the USA Today website reports today (May 4, 2025). 

The proposal would raise the Department of Homeland Security budget by two--thirds to $107 billion, from $65 billion, for fiscal year 2026. 

The one--time funding surge would enable DHS to pay for the President's planned deportation campaign, build border fencing, modernize the Coast Guard fleet, and enhance Secret Service operations. 

The proposal would at the same time cut funding for programs that support vulnerable migrants  or make investments in migrants' home countries to create the economic and security conditions that would encourage them to remain.  

It cuts or eliminates funding for programs that resettle refugees, places unaccompanied minors with sponsors, provides emergency shelter to migrants and for USAID, the State Department entity that funds programs overseas.  The president's proposal is a request; Congress holds the power of the purse to appropriate money to fund the government. 

DHS is the umbrella agency for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection -- two agencies that are key to Trump's deportation and border security agenda. 

"ICE, CBP, and other agencies have consistently felt underfunded for the missions they are allocated with," said Colleen Putzel--Kavanaugh, associate policy analyst with the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute. "For mass deportation, ICE has said it doesn't have the resources to do it." 

Trump Seks Huge Spending Increase on Border,Deportations

 President Donald Trump wants to boost the nation's border security budget by nearly $44 billion, for one year only,the USA Today website reports today (May 3, 2025). The proposal would raise the Department of Homeland Security budget by two--thirds to $107 billion, from $65 billion for fiscal year 2026.

The one--time funding surge would enable DHS to pay for the president's planned deportation campaign, build border fencing, modernize the Coast Guard fleet, and enhance Secret Service operations. 

The proposal would at the same time cut funding for programs that support vulnerable migrants or make investments in migrants' home countries to create the economic and security conditions that would encourage them to remain.

It cuts or eliminates funding for programs that resettle refugees, places unaccompanied minors with sponsors, provides emergency shelter to migrants and for USAID, the State Department entity that funds programs overseas. The president's proposal is a request; Congress holds the power of the purse to appropriate money to fund the government.

DHS is the umbrella agency for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection -- two agencies that are key to Trump's deportation and border security agenda. 

"ICE, CBP, all of these different agencies have consistently felt underfunded for the  missions they are allocated with," said Colleen Putzel--Kavanaugh, associate policy analyst with the Migration Policy Institute for Mass Deportation. ICE has said it doesn't have the resources to do it."

What the Bible Says about Boundaries

Boundaries have become almost a buzzword on the internet lately, the Crossmap website reports today (May 2, 2025). 

The person who best demonstrated boundaries was Jesus. He had clear boundaries with people in His life and throughout the Bible. We can see why boundaries are important, and even which boundaries are important.

The most obvious way the Bible puts boundaries on display is almost so obvious that it's easy to miss. God set the world in motion with boundaries. There is a law or a rule that the world follows. In the very beginning, God started by creating boundaries. 

"And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness" (Genesis 1:3--4). 

God set boundaries for day and night, and for land and water. He also set boundaries for us. He told us what we had rule over (Genesis 1:29) and what to eat and what not to eat (Genesis 2:16--17). 

Later in Scripture, God governs His people  and shows us how boundaries are meant to protect us and invites us into healthy relationships with Him and with one another. 

"God's story gives us clarity by showing us the boundaries that He has provided as a protection for women, children, and all in society. In the  law, God provides those boundaries for Israel as a community. The ceremonial boundaries taugfht them God's holiness. The moral boundaries taught them God's righteousness. The social/civil boundaries taught them the value of all in the nation."

Study: White Evangelicals Have Top Support for Trump's First 100 Days

According to a new poll, President Donald Trump and his policies have majority support  among white Evangelical  Protestants, even as nearly all other religious demographics have expressed reservations about some or all of his policies, the Christian Post website reports today (May 1, 2025).

Pew Research Center released a report on April 28 highlighting President Donald  Trump's approval rating among members of various religious denominations as the first 100 days of his second term in office come to a close. The data in the report is based on responses collected from 3589 Americans between April 7--13 and has a margin of error of 1.8 percentage points, 

Respondents include 496 white Evangelical Protestants, 351 white non--Evangelical Protestants, 220 black Protestants, 428 white Catholics, 201 Hispanic Catholics, and 1,079 religiously unaffiliated voters. Overall, Trump has an approval rating of 40% with the American public, while 59% disapproved of his job performance.

Among all Christians, Trump has a 51% disapproval rating and a 48% approval rating. The president boasts a 72% approval rating with this group. Trump has an approval rating of 51% anong both white, non--Evangelical Protestants, and white Catholics. Among all other religious demographics, more disapprove than approve of his presidency.