2013: The Year of Pope Francis

Here’s what to expect on Interfaith Voices:

The Year’s Top Religion Stories: Non-Pope Edition

In our annual tradition, two of our favorite religion news analysts reflect on the the stories that mattered in the past year. Catholics, Evangelicals and others fought the contraception mandate in Obama’s Affordable Care Act. Polls found that Americans are becoming even more secular, and religious conflicts broke out in Syria, Egypt, Myanmar and other countries. And then there was the biggest story of all: the resignation of Pope Benedict, and the entrance of Pope Francis. More on that in the show’s second half.

Pope Francis: Transforming the Catholic Church

After just nine months in office, Pope Francis has added a warmer, humbler touch to the Catholic Church. He’s washed the feet of prisoners and kissed disfigured people. He said he won’t “judge” gay people and has called unchecked capitalism “a new tyranny.” Three top religion analysts reflect on the new style, and perhaps even substance, of Pope Francis.

Featured speakers:

Kevin Eckstrom, Editor-in-Chief of Religion News Service
Kim Lawton, Managing Editor of Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly
Rev. Thomas Reese, Jesuit priest and senior analyst for the National Catholic Reporter

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