Coup de Théâtre and the Conclave, by Christopher R. Altieri

African Bishops Don’t Want A Pope Like Francis; We Want A Pope Like Christ, by Ngala Killian Chimtom

May 6, 2025

FDA Commissioner Can’t Ignore Damning New Data On The Dangers Of Mifepristone, by Sen. Josh Hawley

May 6, 2025

(L-R) Cardinals Joseph Tobin, Kevin Farrell, and Blase CupichWYDUSA/Twitter

By Christopher R. Altieri, Catholic World Report, May 5, 2025

Christopher R. Altieri is a journalist, editor and author of three books, including Reading the News Without Losing Your Faith (Catholic Truth Society, 2021). He is contributing editor to Catholic World Report.

Coup de théâtre, as the French say, or colpo di scena in Italian, is an unexpected turn in a play or a film, often applied to real life when surprising developments unfold suddenly and to dramatic effect, making life imitate art.

The recent movie, Conclave, went for one of these—and it’s tough to say whether it was trying too hard or a little too dans le nez, or perhaps, paradoxically, a little of both—and fell flat, if you ask me.

Don’t worry, I won’t spoil it. [Editor’s note: Conclave was reviewed on April 4, 2025, for CWR by Sean Fitzpatrick.] …

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Coup de Théâtre and the Conclave, by Christopher R. Altieri

African Bishops Don’t Want A Pope Like Francis; We Want A Pope Like Christ, by Ngala Killian Chimtom

FDA Commissioner Can’t Ignore Damning New Data On The Dangers Of Mifepristone, by Sen. Josh Hawley

By Christopher R. Altieri, Catholic World Report, May 5, 2025

With the eyes of the whole world on Rome this week and the worldwide body of Catholic faithful waiting on tenterhooks for white smoke, I thought I’d sketch out three highly unlikely scenarios.

Coup de théâtre, as the French say, or colpo di scena in Italian, is an unexpected turn in a play or a film, often applied to real life when surprising developments unfold suddenly and to dramatic effect, making life imitate art.

The recent movie, Conclave, went for one of these—and it’s tough to say whether it was trying too hard or a little too dans le nez, or perhaps, paradoxically, a little of both—and fell flat, if you ask me.

Don’t worry, I won’t spoil it. [Editor’s note: Conclave was reviewed on April 4, 2025, for CWR by Sean Fitzpatrick.] …

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