Fr. Paul D. Scalia: Faith and the Papacy

By Fr. Paul D. Scalia, The Catholic Thing, April 27, 2025

Fr. Paul Scalia is a priest of the Diocese of Arlington, VA, where he serves as Episcopal Vicar for Clergy and Pastor of Saint James in Falls Church. He is the author of That Nothing May Be Lost: Reflections on Catholic Doctrine and Devotion and the editor of Sermons in Times of Crisis: Twelve Homilies to Stir Your Soul.

For the past week, the death of Pope Francis has dominated the news. For the next several weeks, the election of his predecessor will do so. And today the Church places before us the story about Thomas’s doubt and, therefore, about what it means to believe. (John 20:19-31) In God’s providence, the scene orients our thoughts and prayers about the papacy and the next pope.

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Now, it’s a terrible thing to call this Apostle “Doubting Thomas.” Yes, he was “unbelieving.” But that wasn’t the end of his story. He proclaimed the Gospel in distant lands and was martyred for Christ. He should also be remembered for that. …

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