Wednesday's News & Ideas - 2/19/2025

Vatican authorities say the pope now has pneumonia in both lungs. How worrying is that?
The Associated Press: Vatican officials have said Pope Francis has developed pneumonia in both lungs, further complicating his recovery. The 88-year-old pontiff was hospitalized Friday after a weeklong bout of bronchitis worsened.
NPR: From his hospital bed, Pope Francis stays in touch with Catholic parishioners in Gaza

Wheaton College clash over Russell Vought escalates, exposing evangelical fault lines
Religion News Service: The college’s social media post about alumnus and Project 2025 architect Russell Vought has led to two open letters that reveal competing interpretations of Christian values.

Inside the anti-democratic movement that restored Trump to power*
Rolling Stone: An excerpt from “Money, Lies, and God: Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy” lifts the curtain on Trump’s authoritarian movement.

Abuse database is no longer a priority for Southern Baptist leaders
Religion News Service: Southern Baptist leaders said they will focus on training churches to use already available databases.

How NBA great Dikembe Mutombo’s legacy as A Christian and humanitarian lives on
Religion Unplugged: Dikembe Mutombo’s towering presence on the basketball court made him a household name. But it’s his legacy off the court that set him apart.

The Spark

The deeply online origins of MAGA 2.0
Vox explains why Trump’s second-term agenda is so wildly different from his first.

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