Monday's News & Ideas - 4/28/2025

Thousands visit Pope Francis tomb in Rome day after funeral
Al Jazeera: The modest tomb draws huge queues on the first day of public viewing a day after tens of thousands attended his funeral.

My selfie with Francis: The digital legacy of an approachable Pope*
The New York Times: Many of the Catholics he counseled were much younger, but he made a habit of trying to meet them where they were.

Americans may be going to church less, but most are still open to religion, spirituality
Religion News Service: Just because religious behavior and affiliation have taken a nosedive in the last 30 years does not mean America is suddenly a secular country.

A Jewish baking tradition rises in the age of Instagram
NPR: Religious tradition is not handed down fully formed from God on high. It’s made by people, and shaped by human factors — politics, faith, fear, geography, community. And, sometimes, how pretty something looks on Instagram.

‘Standing up for Christian values’: US evangelicals keep the faith with Trump
The Guardian: Evangelicals say president is in step on core issues such as abortion and Israel – and they’re backing him all the way

The Spark

75 years ago, ‘The Martian Chronicles’ legitimized science fiction
Sam Weller writes about Ray Bradbury’s underappreciated classic for Lit Hub.

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