Catholicism

Many said they were excited that an American was selected as head of the Roman Catholic Church for the first time.

Faith leaders in Portland are celebrating Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope to be selected in the 2,000-plus-year history of the Catholic church.

Sample: “I hope that the next Holy Father will set a profound example of holiness and challenge us, and especially us who are leaders in the church.”

There are no official candidates for the papacy, but some cardinals are considered “papabile,” or possessing the characteristics necessary to become pope. After St. John Paul II broke the centurieslong Italian hold on the papacy in 1978, the field of contenders has broadened considerably.

Oregonians remember Pope Francis as a champion for the poor, for action on climate change and for a more inclusive world.

State lawmakers hope a compromise in the proposed legislation will get Catholic lobbyists on board, a year after a similar bill died over the church’s backlash.

Pope Francis, along with dozens of prelates and tens of thousands of faithful, celebrated Easter Mass in a flower-adorned St. Peter's Square.

Pope Francis is in the U.S. for the first time today. What do Catholics in Oregon think about him?

We check in with Catholics and clergy members about what they think of the direction the Catholic Church is headed under the direction of Pope Francis.