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Japan Today
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Japan Today
Warm American welcome for new pope masks U.S. church's deep divide
By Brad Brooks, Andrew Hay and Alexandra Ulmer Evelyn Morris serves hot dogs at "The Wieners Circle", which displayed a sign outside its restaurant written in Latin that reads: "He has eaten our dogs", following the election of Pope Leo XIV, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., May 9, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Osorio As Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Mass as pontiff at the Sistine Chapel on Friday, he spoke a few words in English. It was a reminder - if anyone needed one - that a baseball fan who hails from Chicago was now leader of the Roman Catholic Church. For American Catholics, the elevation of Robert Prevost to the papacy was a shock, a cause for celebration and a chance for some fun. After the announcement, social media lit up with memes about Leo eating hotdogs, bringing deep dish pizza to the Vatican and switching out the Popemobile for a pickup truck. But despite the warm embrace of his countrymen and women, the deeply divided U.S. Catholic Church may ultimately pose some of the most serious challenges for the new pope. Those divisions, which mirror more generalized political polarization in the U.S., are evident in a host of issues: immigration, same-sex couples, climate change and the role of women in the Church, among other issues. The split has grown wider in recent years as a growing segment of conservative Catholics becomes increasingly vocal and assertive. Pope Francis - who was seen as more progressive-minded thanks to his views on climate change and migration - saw his popularity decline in the U.S. over time as the conservative influence helped shape opinions: In 2024, about 75% of U.S. Catholics viewed Francis favorably, down from about 90% in 2015, according to a Pew Research Poll. Cathleen Kaveny, a theology and law professor at Boston College who has closely tracked the split between conservatives and progressives, said the new pontiff could salve some wounds between the sides while deepening others. Kaveny expects Leo, with his expertise in canon law and administration at the Vatican, to embrace his predecessor's vision of a church dedicated to the poor and open to all, what she described as a 'trickle-up theory of paying attention to people and what they think.' If Kaveny proves right, traditionalists and conservatives may balk. 'Pope Leo XIV is an institution builder and he will institutionalize Pope Francis' visions - or, at least, certain aspects of them,' she said. Steve Bannon, the conservative strategist and Catholic who advised President Donald Trump during his first term, also expects continuity. "He's an ideological twin to Francis," he said in an interview with Reuters. PRESIDENT AS POPE That said, American conservatives may appreciate that the new pontiff will likely show more discretion than Francis, Kaveny said, perhaps shifting focus away from some of the more contentious issues such outreach to the gay and transgender faithful. In their politics, U.S. Catholics have swung more conservative, with right-wing media and Trump-era culture wars combining as powerful influence within the church. Catholics voted for Trump 59%-39% over Democrat Kamala Harris in the November presidential election, a 12 percentage point swing from 2020, according to exit polling by Edison Research. Trump, whose cabinet is about one-third Catholic, expressed pride at having an American in charge at the Vatican. An AI-generated image of Trump dressed as pope was posted on a White House social media account last weekend; the president told reporters he had nothing to do with the image. Despite Trump's welcome, Leo may also find himself in the crosshairs of Trump supporters, some of whom have described him as a globalist, liberal and woke-minded. Leo has a handful of disapproving posts about the Republican leaders' policies on the X account of Robert Prevost. Among the posts are one questioning Trump's migration policies and another reposting an article headlined, "JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others." "He's got that same Latin American liberation theology radicalness to him," Bannon said, referring to Leo. "He's virulently anti-Trump." The share of Americans who describe themselves as Catholic has changed little over the last decade, hovering around 20%, according to Pew Research. During that time, the Church has been rocked by sex abuse scandals that have resulted in costly legal settlements and bankruptcies, while dragging on church attendance and donations. A number of U.S. dioceses, including in Leo's hometown of Chicago, have been forced to close churches, while others have fallen into disrepair. Despite Francis' cost-cutting efforts and financial management, the Vatican faces an $94.22 million budget shortfall, two sources have told Reuters, and a much larger funding gap in its pension fund. 'NO PLACE TO GO' David Gibson, director of the Center on Religion and Culture at Fordham University, said that Leo's ascension cements the movement ignited by Francis to broaden the appeal of the church and make it accessible to more people. At times that has come at the expense of tradition, such as the move by Francis to restrict the celebration of the Latin Mass, which enraged his conservative critics. "The conservatives have no place to go. Leo is 69 and could be around for 15 to 20 years,' Gibson said. 'This is the church now - finding how to preach the Gospel in modern times. The conservatives will have to figure out how they're going to live in that church.' Still, Leo is an American, and experts said it remained to be seen how the novelty of the first U.S.-born pope - and his understanding of U.S. Catholics - could play out. "There's a certain kind of opportunity he has in this moment to appeal and to be a symbol that can unite and that could go a way in pulling us together," said Nancy Pineda-Madrid, associate professor of theology at Boston College. "I think in many ways he can stretch us here in the United States in ways that are wonderful and rich," she said. © Thomson Reuters 2025.
Straits Times
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Warm American welcome for new pope masks US church's deep divide
Evelyn Morris serves hot dogs at \"The Wieners Circle\", which displayed a sign outside its restaurant written in Latin that reads: \"He has eaten our dogs\", following the election of Pope Leo XIV, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., May 9, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Osorio As Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Mass as pontiff at the Sistine Chapel on Friday, he spoke a few words in English. It was a reminder - if anyone needed one - that a baseball fan who hails from Chicago was now leader of the Roman Catholic Church. For American Catholics, the elevation of Robert Prevost to the papacy was a shock, a cause for celebration and a chance for some fun. After the announcement, social media lit up with memes about Leo eating hotdogs, bringing deep dish pizza to the Vatican and switching out the Popemobile for a pickup truck. But despite the warm embrace of his countrymen and women, the deeply divided U.S. Catholic Church may ultimately pose some of the most serious challenges for the new pope. Those divisions, which mirror more generalized political polarization in the U.S., are evident in a host of issues: immigration, same-sex couples, climate change and the role of women in the Church, among other issues. The split has grown wider in recent years as a growing segment of conservative Catholics becomes increasingly vocal and assertive. Pope Francis - who was seen as more progressive-minded thanks to his views on climate change and migration - saw his popularity decline in the U.S. over time as the conservative influence helped shape opinions: In 2024, about 75% of U.S. Catholics viewed Francis favorably, down from about 90% in 2015, according to a Pew Research Poll. Cathleen Kaveny, a theology and law professor at Boston College who has closely tracked the split between conservatives and progressives, said the new pontiff could salve some wounds between the sides while deepening others. Kaveny expects Leo, with his expertise in canon law and administration at the Vatican, to embrace his predecessor's vision of a church dedicated to the poor and open to all, what she described as a 'trickle-up theory of paying attention to people and what they think.' If Kaveny proves right, traditionalists and conservatives may balk. 'Pope Leo XIV is an institution builder and he will institutionalize Pope Francis' visions - or, at least, certain aspects of them,' she said. Steve Bannon, the conservative strategist and Catholic who advised President Donald Trump during his first term, also expects continuity. "He's an ideological twin to Francis," he said in an interview with Reuters. PRESIDENT AS POPE That said, American conservatives may appreciate that the new pontiff will likely show more discretion than Francis, Kaveny said, perhaps shifting focus away from some of the more contentious issues such outreach to the gay and transgender faithful. In their politics, U.S. Catholics have swung more conservative, with right-wing media and Trump-era culture wars combining as powerful influence within the church. Catholics voted for Trump 59%-39% over Democrat Kamala Harris in the November presidential election, a 12 percentage point swing from 2020, according to exit polling by Edison Research. Trump, whose cabinet is about one-third Catholic, expressed pride at having an American in charge at the Vatican. An AI-generated image of Trump dressed as pope was posted on a White House social media account last weekend; the president told reporters he had nothing to do with the image. Despite Trump's welcome, Leo may also find himself in the crosshairs of Trump supporters, some of whom have described him as a globalist, liberal and woke-minded. Leo has a handful of disapproving posts about the Republican leaders' policies on the X account of Robert Prevost. Among the posts are one questioning Trump's migration policies and another reposting an article headlined, "JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others." "He's got that same Latin American liberation theology radicalness to him," Bannon said, referring to Leo. "He's virulently anti-Trump." The share of Americans who describe themselves as Catholic has changed little over the last decade, hovering around 20%, according to Pew Research. During that time, the Church has been rocked by sex abuse scandals that have resulted in costly legal settlements and bankruptcies, while dragging on church attendance and donations. A number of U.S. dioceses, including in Leo's hometown of Chicago, have been forced to close churches, while others have fallen into disrepair. Despite Francis' cost-cutting efforts and financial management, the Vatican faces an $94.22 million budget shortfall, two sources have told Reuters, and a much larger funding gap in its pension fund. 'NO PLACE TO GO' David Gibson, director of the Center on Religion and Culture at Fordham University, said that Leo's ascension cements the movement ignited by Francis to broaden the appeal of the church and make it accessible to more people. At times that has come at the expense of tradition, such as the move by Francis to restrict the celebration of the Latin Mass, which enraged his conservative critics. "The conservatives have no place to go. Leo is 69 and could be around for 15 to 20 years,' Gibson said. 'This is the church now - finding how to preach the Gospel in modern times. The conservatives will have to figure out how they're going to live in that church.' Still, Leo is an American, and experts said it remained to be seen how the novelty of the first U.S.-born pope - and his understanding of U.S. Catholics - could play out. "There's a certain kind of opportunity he has in this moment to appeal and to be a symbol that can unite and that could go a way in pulling us together," said Nancy Pineda-Madrid, associate professor of theology at Boston College. "I think in many ways he can stretch us here in the United States in ways that are wonderful and rich," she said. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
CBS News
12-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Celebrating Chicago on "312 Day" with The Wieners Circle
Local News It's "312 Day," a celebration of Chicago with deals and promotions throughout the city on Wednesday. The iconic hot dog joint The Wieners Circle, on Clark Street, and Do312 are hosting a "312 Day" bash from 3:12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Stop by for DJs, $3.12 hot dogs, and more festivities. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Do312 (@do312) The bash will feature a Chicago-themed costume contest. Other "312 Day" deals in the city include $3.12 drafts, Malort shots at Graystone Tavern, $3.12 popcorn and soda at the Music Box Theatre, and $3.12 cocktails and domestic beer at Hubbard Inn. Find a full list here. © 2025 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Chicago Tribune
10-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Neal Francis celebrates new album like a true Chicagoan — with hot dogs and a free show
Psychedelic rocker Neal Francis plans to celebrate the release of his third studio album, the funk-heavy 'Return to Zero' (ATO Records), later this week by fielding a merciless onslaught of insults courtesy of the profane cashiers at Lincoln Park staple The Wieners Circle. The Oak Park-raised piano prodigy attributes this perverse desire to his expansive love of the city and its famous encased meat. 'I'm unabashedly a fan of Chicago-style hot dogs. My fiancé is a little bit worried about my consumption, probably deservedly so,' he said over a video call from his Pilsen home, flanked by gear and musical doodads. In addition to playing an all-vinyl DJ set, the 36-year-old will 'lay my Chicago accent on really thick and just generally ham it up' while 'humbly' working the line like a regular employee. And he has the fast food bona fides to back the publicity stunt up — he used to man the register at a little grill in Diversey Harbor while parlaying the mentorship of local boogie-woogie piano legend Erwin Helfer into full-fledged gigs at blues and jazz clubs around the city. For this afternoon of returning to his day-job roots, Francis will trade in the sleek, chest-baring jumpsuit and eyeliner look from his 'Francis Comes Alive' concert film and accompanying double album — recorded in 2023 over two nights at Thalia Hall (and blessed by the father of the live album himself, Peter Frampton) — for something a little less chic. 'I have a hot dog suit that I'm going to wear during the whole thing that just came in the mail. We got it from Chicago Costume,' he said with the excitement of a kid on Halloween. Francis and his band (drummer Collin O'Brien, bassist Mike Starr and guitarist Austin Koenigstein) will preview tracks from 'Return to Zero' on the eve of the album's release for concertgoers who sign up for a chance for entry through his social media pages at Lincoln Park club aliveOne, a place the songwriter knows inside and out after playing there weekly when he fronted instrumental funksters The Heard. ('It was a very formative time in my life,' he said.) After the last year of winning over crowds at festivals such as Bonnaroo in Tennessee, New York's cavernous Carnegie Hall and a late-night spot on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!', returning to aliveOne takes on the quality of a 'This Is Your Life' TV episode. It's going to be a 'laugh riot' Francis predicted. 'It's going to be so much fun. I think I'll just feel really free in that space.' Despite having more in common sonically with New Orleans haunt Tipitina's than defunct dive bar CBGB in New York, Francis said there's a 'punk energy that I'm trying to tap into' for his upcoming 35-date spring tour. Going out there and rocking out seems like the best way to combat the rampant restlessness in the world. 'There's so much noise in the world right now — some of it is really scary for me,' Francis said. 'That's my mission — to let everybody else let go and feel something.' The disco-fringed, Dr. John-influenced 2019 album 'Changes' felt like a quintessential debut in that it encompassed the entirety of Francis' experience up to that point in his burgeoning career — years of preparation and musical calisthenics, rigorous touring with the likes of Mud Morganfield, the son of Muddy Waters, and the personal fumbles someone in his early 20s not beholden to a strict 9-to-5 schedule is apt to fall into. For 2021's dreamy, jam-heavy 'In Plain Sight,' Francis put his struggles with the isolation of the lockdown phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, the sting of love gone wrong and the hurdle of maintaining sobriety all on tape at the former St. Peter's United Church of Christ in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood while he was also living in the congregation's parsonage. The difficult story of 'Return to Zero,' recorded mostly in Los Angeles with frequent collaborator Sergio Rios co-producing, lies within Francis' inner critic. 'I keep meeting my shortcomings on the field,' he said. 'I learned a lot of ways not to make a record on this one.' His main hangup? 'Just me,' he said. 'There's this voice inside me that's like 'You better do it perfectly.' And my whole life is built around telling that voice to chill. It's just like this competition I'm in with myself and I want to outdo myself. In trying to do that, I really didn't leave a lot of room for having fun in this endeavor.' Despite these proclamations of dread, the album slaps. 'Dirty Little Secret' bounces with a slinky Eurythmics vibe while the sashay of '150 More Times' could make Elton John sit on his hands and donate his Yamaha. 'What's Left of Me' chugs like a whimsical train on its way to the stars and if 'Back It Up' soundtracked 'Saturday Night Fever,' maybe anti-disco sentiment would have never gained traction. 'Need You Again' shoots out of a cannon with no-nonsense backing vocals courtesy of Brooklyn trio Say She She and a parade of guitar from Soulive's Eric Krasno. The lyrics recount the feeling of romanticizing a love interest to the point of addiction. Even as Francis prepares to unleash this batch of songs onto the public, his mind wanders to the next collection. 'I want to work on writing songs that aren't always autobiographical,' he said when asked if his growing success and engagement to his 'wonderful' love, Piper, will impede his muse. Then again, 'there's an infinite well of sadness to draw from,' he said. 'That was supposed to be sarcastic, but also a little bit true. I don't know where art is supposed to come from, but historically for me, it's come from suffering. I keep wondering if that's required. I hope it's not.' Janine Schaults is a freelance writer. Neal Francis on March 13 at aliveOne, 2683 N. Halsted St., doors open at 7 p.m. with Birds of Prey opening; free, reserved entry via @nealfrancismusic on Facebook and Instagram, plus limited admission at the door. Then serving hotdogs at 6 p.m. on March 14 at The Wieners Circle, 2622 N. Clark St., followed by a 7 p.m. DJ set, first 50 customers receive a free T-shirt or trucker hat.
