Happy Friday. It seems we’ve already eaten up five days of Advent calendar chocolate but are still rushing to figure out which replete red-and-green Rubbermaid box contains the nativity set. But if you think you're ahead in the Christmas decorating game this year, check this out, and think again.
And, now, here’s your weekly roundup.
First, demonstrators have filled streets across the United States in response to the grand jury decision in the Eric Garner chokehold case and are calling attention to other killings of unarmed African-Americans by white police officers. America magazine editor Father Jim Martin’s response to Garner’s death is also worth a read.
On a similar note, Pope Francis this week dismissed the commander of his Swiss Guard, Daniel Anrig. The Vatican announced the move yesterday in its newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano. Italian journalists speculate Francis disapproved of Anrig’s strict style of leadership.
The Supreme Court is divided over a pregnancy discrimination case in which a UPS driver's request that she be put on lighter duty while pregnant was denied.
Crux has an interesting piece about Catholic institutions firing employees over issues of unmarried couples living together, in-vitro fertilization, and same-sex relationships.
Also, the pope’s astronomer (yes—there is such a thing!) says, sure, he’d baptize an alien if he ever meets one.
And now for the papal rapid fire roundup:
This week, Pope Francis:
- Prayed in a mosque.
- Demanded an end to human trafficking.
- Is the star of a hit musical.
- Got two donkeys.
- Has fond memories of donkey milk.
- Is preparing to celebrate his 78th birthday with 7,000 tango dancers.
Speaking of Pope Francis, take our reader survey about him if you haven’t already. Survey results will be published in the March 2015 issue—just in time for Francis' second anniversary.
