While the new Pope, Francis, has made a point of emphasizing simplicity—rather than wearing the usual gold ring, he has insisted on one made of silver—today he gave way to Vatican tradition and formally assumed his office following most (but not all) of the elaborate ceremonial script worked out in minute detail over more than a thousand years. Even within this deeply traditional institution, the script has changed, sometimes quite substantially…

Alexander Stille on the inauguration of Pope Francis: http://nyr.kr/WTLifE

Photograph by Spencer Platt/Getty.

In this week’s issue, John Cassidy asks whether Pope Francis will move the Church in a more progressive direction than his predecessors: http://nyr.kr/Z8gt3Z

(Source: )

Jorge Mario Bergoglio, now better known as Pope Francis, steps into his new role during a time in which the Catholic Church faces numerous challenges around the world. Foremost among them, of course, is the problem of child abuse within the Church and the attempts over the years to cover it up, but there’s also the Vatican’s banking scandal and the question of how long official doctrine can lag behind progress and public opinion on issues like the role of women, gay marriage, and reproductive rights. On this week’s Political Scene podcast, Joan Acocella and Margaret Talbot join host Amy Davidson to discuss how Pope Francis might change the Church. Listen now, and click-through for more: http://nyr.kr/YuL4Wr

(Source: newyorker.com / The New Yorker)

A cautiously bold move. Or, perhaps, a boldly cautious move. In choosing the Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the cardinals of the Catholic Church are trying to indicate that they are open and listening to calls for change, while hewing carefully to their traditions and the conservative doctrine of the past two Popes. We will see in the coming months whether to put the accent on caution or boldness…

Alexander Stille on Pope Francis against the Roman Curia: http://nyr.kr/13Vpe6h

Photograph: L’Osservatore Romano/Getty.

Argentina is one of only eleven countries where same-sex marriage is legal. Here, Richard Socarides asks if there is any hope for Pope Francis on gay rights: http://nyr.kr/Zq9Edw

(Source: newyorker.com)

In today’s Daily Comment, Jane Kramer writes that Jorge Mario Bergoglio was not chosen as Pope to push progressive social doctrine, but instead to remove the taint of scandal that hangs over the Church of Rome: http://nyr.kr/10KDTg3

Photograph by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty.

(Source: newyorker.com)

The Cardinals Who Knew Too Little: Amy Davidson on the Vatican’s mysterious and uneven distribution of information: http://nyr.kr/Yzuzey

Photograph by Andrew Medichini/AP.

Both because of his personality and the potential for a historic milestone, some journalists have taken to calling this papal election an “Obama moment” for the Church. This metaphor is apt only insofar as both will disappoint liberals hoping for significant change.

Naunihal Singh considers Cardinal Turkson of Ghana, who is favored to be the Church’s future: http://nyr.kr/ZGABhf

Photograph: Gabriel Bouys/Getty.

(Source: newyorker.com)

As the Pope, Benedict XVI reversed the excommunication of frighteningly racist and illegally appointed bishops, and discreetly transferred child-molesting priests to other parishes, among other questionable acts. In today’s Daily Comment, Jane Kramer considers his seemingly “rational, considered decision” to resign: “It may be that, however weakened, Benedict was crafty… A new face, with a new infallibility chakra under his papal hat, may be the Church’s last best hope for…continuing its long march backward.” Continue reading: http://nyr.kr/13loRwU

Photograph by Stefano Dal Pozzolo/Contrasto/Redux.

In the next few weeks, the cardinals of the Catholic Church will prepare for a conclave that will transform one of them into a pope. Early talk encompasses a wide range of candidates, from Milan and Ghana to New York and Argentina, challenging the traditional picture of the pope. But how much of that image is a retrospective one, shaped by the one we already have of the pope in his ceremonial guise? Are we so sure we know what any future pope looks like? Click-through to see the last half-dozen, photographed before they ascended—as a child, a young soldier, a priest shaving outdoors… http://nyr.kr/XxjFXd

(Source: newyorker.com)