Wednesday’s News & Ideas - 10/14/2026

Leo XIV’s cancer diagnosis tests the assumption of a long papacy*
The New York Times: For a pope who appeared to have time on his side, cancer has raised questions about his longevity and brought a new urgency to his plans for the church.
The Guardian: Pope Leo diagnosed with lung cancer as growth removed during surgery

Regardless of legal indecision, few pastors want to endorse candidates
Religion Unplugged: A Lifeway Research study found 93% of U.S. Protestant pastors say they don’t plan to endorse candidates for public office during a worship service.

Middle East churches must protect children orphaned by war, says Christian leader
Religion News Service: Michel Abs of the Middle East Council of Churches discusses his organization’s emergency response in Gaza, Lebanon and the West Bank.

SBC seminaries see new generation of leaders with R. Scott Pace installed at Southeastern
Religion News Service: R. Scott Pace succeeds Daniel Akin, a key champion of the conservative takeover of the Southern Baptist Convention in the early 1980s. At his inauguration, Pace promised to continue that conservative mission.

How the Supreme Court is reshaping the limits of religious rights in America*
The Washington Post: The Roberts court has redefined the separation of church and state. This term may show how far it will go.

The Spark

Where the forest went
Hugh Maxwell’s walk transformed 2.6 million acres of wilderness into a grid for sale. A writer followed his trail to survey what remains for Longreads.

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