How Francis is leading the Catholic Church into the future

+ stopping the illegal turtle trade US Edition - Today's top story: The worldwide consultations for the global synod reflect Pope Francis' efforts toward building a more inclusive Catholic Church [View in browser]( US Edition | 7 October 2023 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( Pope Francis opened a big meeting, the 16th Synod of Bishops, this week. He also swore in 21 new cardinals, who come from many different parts of the world. And he released his new encyclical on the climate crisis. The synod’s agenda includes discussions of many hot-button issues that have divided the church, such as the inclusion of LGBTQ+ people, the role of women in the church and whether priests should be allowed to get married. For the first time, its voting members will not only be bishops but other Catholics from around the world. As Daniel Speed Thompson, a Catholic theologian at the University of Dayton, writes, the meeting is significant because it indicates Francis’ intention to give “[all Catholics a voice in the decision-making process of the church](.” Similarly, Holy Cross specialist in medieval Christianity Joanne Pierce argues that the appointment of 21 new cardinals [representing the diversity within Catholicism](, will have a profound impact on the future of the Catholic Church. Meanwhile, the new encyclical is an addendum to “Laudato Si,” a Vatican document on environmentalism and the Christian faith, first released in May 2015. It strongly reproaches wealthy nations and links environmental problems with economic, social and technological issues. UC Santa Barbara environmental ethicist Lisa H. Sideris, in analyzing Francis’ critique, writes why with this, too, Francis is trying to highlight deeper issues that society has neglected to address. Above all, he points to the denial of how [interconnected the world is](. This week we also liked articles about how Zoom and other videoconferencing services lead some people to [become extremely anxious about their appearance](, why [journalists pay too much attention to electoral polls](, and a [labor union with a string of wins]( that expedited the demise of its members’ profession. [ [Get a global perspective on the news, with the best of The Conversation’s journalism from around the world, twice weekly.]( ] Kalpana Jain Senior Religion + Ethics Editor/ Director of the Global Religion Journalism Initiative Pope Francis leads a prayer vigil at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City on Sept. 30, 2023. Antonio Masiello/Getty Images [The worldwide consultations for the global synod reflect Pope Francis’ efforts toward building a more inclusive Catholic Church]( Daniel Speed Thompson, University of Dayton As the Synod of Bishops meets in Rome, a Catholic theologian explains the preparations that went into the consultative process and what it says about Pope Francis’ vision for the future church. Jailed: Iranian women’s protest leader Narges Mohammad has been awarded the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize. EPA-EFE/Abedin Taherkenareh [Nobel peace prize: Narges Mohammadi wins on behalf of thousands of Iranian women struggling for human rights]( Hind Elhinnawy, Nottingham Trent University The Nobel prize committee said Narges Mohammadi represented the struggle of many thousands of brave women fighting for their rights. Smuggled rare Mexican box turtles intercepted by U.S. officials at the Port of Memphis. USFWS [There’s a thriving global market in turtles, and much of that trade is illegal]( Jennifer Sevin, University of Richmond More than half of the world’s turtle species are endangered or threatened, and overhunting of wild species is a major cause. - [What today’s labor leaders can learn from the explosive rise and quick fall of the typesetters union]( Jay L. Zagorsky, Boston University History suggests that there’s risk of overplaying one’s hand when new technology is lurking. - [Often in error but still seductive: Why we can’t quit election polls]( W. Joseph Campbell, American University School of Communication The unusual candidacy of former President Donald Trump has made election polling especially appealing, more than a year from the election. But consumers beware: Those polls may be wrong. - [Pope Francis has appointed 21 new cardinals – an expert on medieval Christianity explains what it means for the future of the Catholic Church]( Joanne M. Pierce, College of the Holy Cross The College of Cardinals is an important part of the church’s governance structure. Its members elect the next pope and help develop future policies for the church. - [The pope’s new letter isn’t just an ‘exhortation’ on the environment – for Francis, everything is connected, which is a source of wonder]( - [The ‘Zoom effect’ and the possible link between videochatting and appearance dissatisfaction]( - [Nationwide test of Wireless Emergency Alert system could test people’s patience – or help rebuild public trust in the system]( - [How a disgruntled scientist looking to prove his food wasn’t fresh discovered radioactive tracers and won a Nobel Prize 80 years ago]( - [Millions of US children have mediocre reading skills, but engaged parents and a committed school curriculum can help]( - [What live theater can learn from Branson, Missouri]( - [Global temperatures are off the charts for a reason: 4 factors driving 2023’s extreme heat and climate disasters]( - [2 in 5 US babies benefit from the WIC nutrition program]( The Conversation Quiz 🧠- Here’s the first question of [this week’s edition:]( After Kevin McCarthy was ousted as speaker of the House on Oct. 3, he said he considered himself to be the... - A. 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