News Insights
"With you I am a Christian, and for you I am a bishop"
Habemus Papam! On May 8, the College of Cardinals announced the good news: We have a new Pope! This election and event assure the Catholic Church of the millennial apostolic succession in the Petrine ministry. We have a Pope! This good news fills us with joy and hope.
His main biographical and pastoral facts – his Augustinian spirituality, the name he chose to exercise his papacy, his initial message from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica and the few characteristics of the new Pope's profile and personality that we are just beginning to know, indicate and shed light on the possible path along which he will exercise his pastoral ministry as the universal leader of the Catholic Church, and a spiritual leader for humanity.
ROBERT FRANCIS PREVOST MARTINEZ, was born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, United States, which makes him the first pope from the United States and the 267th in the history of the Catholic Church.
From his parents, Louis Marius Prevost and Mildred Martínez, he inherited a racial and cultural mix of Italian, French, African, and Spanish ancestries. Robert Prevost studied mathematics, theology, and Canon Law. His life and novitiate as a member of the Order of St. Augustine began in 1977, until he became – for two terms – the Prior General of the Augustinians, which also makes him the first pope from this religious community, with a presence in over 50 countries.
As an Augustinian priest, he conducted – for many years – his pastoral and missionary ministry in Peru until he was appointed Bishop of the diocese of Chiclayo and acquired his Peruvian citizenship. This dual citizenship also makes him the first Peruvian pope and the second Latin American. Finally, in the Vatican curia, he served as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops.
The evangelical and Christian imprint of St. Augustine of Hippo guides and marks his spiritual and religious life, primarily characterized by a tireless search for God in and from the very interiority of the human being. This is a search carried out in community life, with love as the center of everything. This is a love that is God's grace to transform, sustain, and guide human beings in humility to the whole truth: that of knowing we are children of God, serving all as brothers and sisters.
With the “smell of sheep”
By order of the beloved Pope Francis, the Catholic Church is immersed in celebrating a Holy Year, a Jubilee Year, dedicated to reflection, decision-making, and concrete actions for HOPE, in a world that faces serious challenges.
This year offers a propitious opportunity for believers in Christ, as a Church, to be “light and salt” for the world, witnesses of hope, a Hope that does not disappoint or die. Our hope is in God Himself, in the God of life and mercy revealed to us by Jesus and preached – through gestures and words – by Pope Francis.
And this Year for HOPE summons the whole Church to two unexpected events: first, the end of the pontificate and a farewell to the house of our father, Pope Francis, who leaves a legacy that fills the Church and world with hope.
Second, another reason that fills us with hope is the gathering of the Cardinals of the Church who will elect the new Pope, the political head of the Vatican State or Holy See, but, above all, a guide in the faith of the world’s Catholics and the spiritual leader of humanity.
This coming May 7, the elective sessions begin, behind closed doors, to decide who will succeed Francis in the See of Peter and as bishop of Rome.
In this time of wagers and betting on which cardinal will be named the new pope, allow me to recall and point out some qualities that – in my opinion – the new pope and his Petrine ministry should have as conditions for contributing to the construction of the time and space for hope in the Church and the world.
Paying Tribute to Pope Francis
Dr. Ramon Tallaj and Mario J. Paredes pay tribute to Pope Francis during a special event in Rome, reflecting on his global impact and spiritual leadership. An excerpt from their exclusive interview is now available on CBS News.
His Hope Will Not Die!
My Tribute to Pope Francis
For the Catholic Church to be, infallibly and unfailingly, the community of believers and disciples of Jesus Christ, it must be adjusted in accord and harmony with the Gospel of the carpenter’s son of Nazareth, his Good News, i.e., with his words and criteria. This is the only way believers in a faith community can be the “light and salt” of the earth.
Pope Francis has died, and this, precisely, was his main work, legacy, and what he will be remembered for by posterity in the Church and in the history of humanity: to have tried – in season and out – to bring the lives of Catholics and all humankind closer to the Gospel’s principles and values. He fought to build a kinder world, one that is more just, humane, supportive, and fraternal.
He carried out this endeavor throughout his life as a man and Christian, and especially as he conducted his Petrine ministry, with the profound certainty that flows from the life of Jesus of Nazareth: that all human beings have the dignity of being children of the same God, the good Father and Creator, and this is why we are all brothers and sisters, sharing solidarity today – in good and evil – and a common destiny.
This evangelical conviction shaped the whole life of the porteño from Argentina, a descendant of Italian immigrants. It shaped the man, the chemist, the Jesuit priest, and the Pope, whom I had the privilege of being a disciple of in Buenos Aires.
Still shocked by the news and with deep regret, I write these lines as a tribute full of affection to someone who– thanks to life and on many occasions – I had the honor of getting to know personally and enjoying his friendship and teachings. In recent years, for example, in two private audiences, the Holy Father received more than 1,100 doctors from the SOMOS COMMUNITY CARE Organization I work for and he encouraged us to launch the Thank you, Doctor! campaign which mission is to humanize healthcare, specially for the most vulnerable. These encounters today are indelible in the history of our institution. At the same time, this is a tribute of gratitude that, together with the whole Church and all humanity, we very deservedly owe and pay to the much-loved Pope Francis.
I believe that I echo the simultaneous sadness and joy that many are experiencing right now. We experience sadness for the departure of such an illustrious human being, an exemplary Christian, and a good shepherd. We also experience joy because we are left with his testimony, his example of life, and a path of humanity and holiness, open for us to follow in search of better times for Catholicity and the whole world.
Pope Francis 1936 - 2025
We extend our deepest condolences to the Catholic community and all those mourning the passing of Pope Francis. His unwavering dedication to compassion, humility, and social justice touched countless lives across the world. As a shepherd of faith, he guided the Church with wisdom and love, leaving behind a profound legacy of unity and hope. In this time of sorrow, we stand in prayer and solidarity with all who grieve his loss. May his soul rest in peace.
HONOR IN ARMOR: INSIDE THE VATICAN SWISS GUARD
York, NY – March 4, 2025 – On March 4th, the Dr. Ramón Tallaj Foundation will host the exclusive U.S. premiere of Honor in Armor: Inside the Vatican Swiss Guard at The Sheen Center for Thought and Culture in New York City. The 52-minute documentary offers a rare, in-depth look at the Vatican’s Swiss Guard, exploring their 500-year commitment to protecting one of the world’s most historic institutions, revealing the history and secret missions carried out by this elite force from within the Vatican’s barracks.
The film examines why young men continue to join the Swiss Guard, upholding this centuries-old tradition, featuring exclusive interviews with eminent historians, security experts, journalists, Swiss Guard veterans, the guardsmen themselves, and their families shedding light on their daily lives and the devotion of those who swear to give their lives in service to the Pope.
Written by Seàn-Patrick Lovett and directed by Golden Globe Winner Jesús Garcés Lambert, Honor in Armor was produced by Rome Reports, Dr Ramon Tallaj Foundation, the Pontifical Mission Societies and WaterStone. Group.
WORDS THAT ILLUMINATE OUR CROSSES
Through his deeds and words, Jesus reveals to us a logic, a criterion, and an axiology different from our society’s logic. The Gospel of Jesus contains a logic that contradicts and challenges the logic of our change of era and “culture of death,” governed, characterized, and conditioned by the “light” trends of postmodernity.
While our world invites us, by all means and in a thousand ways, to embrace attachment, ambition, and greed for material goods; to embrace fear, hatred, violence, resentment, flattery, lies, hypocrisy, servility, individualism, consumerism, hedonism, intolerance, and discrimination; to embrace injustice and marginalization, corruption, ambition for crushing power, appearance, exteriority, noise, ostentation, and pride, etc., Jesus of Nazareth lives, designs, and teaches us a new way of life and of being human. He is the very model of man that God has for every man.
This is a rationale, lifestyle, and model for being a man, according to the will of God the Creator and Father, which is synthesized in the events that – liturgically – we commemorate in the Easter Triduum of Holy Week or Catholic Holy Week, and significantly condensed in two Christian traditions for Good Friday: the “VIA CRUCIS” and “THE SEVEN WORDS.”
I will refer to these two devotions very succinctly, in the following lines, confident that their message, like the entire Gospel – which is Jesus himself – has everything to say to every man and woman and all humanity, regardless of creed, culture, or place of origin.
Easter for a Life with Hope
Today, therapies for success, happiness, introspection, etc., abound in all media. Around us, every type of coaching proliferates, e.g., training, mentoring, motivational conferences, inspirational books and programs, clinics, experts, and methodologies. They all promise to improve human life. At the same time, problems related to mental health, anguish, and meaninglessness grow.
These businesses and problems grow because humans have an unceasing need to improve, advance, and seek a better life, and, because it can also be hard finding reasons to hope for a better future.
Every human’s primary vocation is humanizing oneself each day to be better and live the values inscribed within our hearts, such as the yearning for life, freedom, justice, truth, solidarity, and peace.
Also, in the social dimension and in coexistence, we all experience the need for growth and improvement in interpersonal relationships, social structures, and organizations.
OREMOS POR LAS VICTIMAS EN LA REPÚBLICA DOMINICANA
La Fundación Dr. Ramón Tallaj se une al dolor del pueblo dominicano y, en especial, al de las familias afectadas por la trágica pérdida ocurrida el pasado 8 de abril en la discoteca Jet Set.
Expresamos nuestras más sinceras condolencias y solidaridad en estos momentos de profundo luto. Elevamos nuestras oraciones por el eterno descanso de las víctimas y por la fortaleza de sus seres queridos. Que este doloroso episodio nos impulse, como sociedad, a reflexionar y a unirnos en la construcción de espacios más seguros para todos.
En medio del luto, reafirmamos nuestra fe en que Dios no abandona a su pueblo en el sufrimiento. Que este triste acontecimiento sea también un llamado a la unidad, al amor fraterno y a la esperanza que solo Él puede brindar.
LOVE: A CHALLENGE AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR EVERYONE
An encyclical is a formal, circular letter the Pope sends to all men and women of goodwill. Through this instrument, the Pope expounds his Catholic teaching and doctrine based on Sacred Scripture and the tradition of the Church. He addresses issues of faith, morals, or current ecclesial and world affairs. Encyclicals enlighten, guide, and encourage religious experience - especially – for the ordained ministers and laypeople of the Catholic world.
Pope Francis has written four encyclical letters. The fourth, titled “Dilexit nos” (“He loved us”), was published on October 24, 2024, and addresses THE HUMAN AND DIVINE LOVE OF THE HEART OF JESUS CHRIST. I will reflect on this encyclical in this article.
During the eleven years of his pontificate, some have tried – from different platforms and motivations – to pigeonhole the magisterium of Pope Francis as conservative or liberal, as right or left. The truth is that the first Jesuit and Latin American pope does not recognize classifications or prefabricated labels. If a sole label could fit him, it would correctly reflect his human, Christian, and pastoral stature. It would acknowledge him as a Pope committed to the essence of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Common Sense or Insanity?
"Let the people know the facts, and the country will be safe."
(Abraham Lincoln)
During the twentieth century, the sixties were known as a decade of change, but, above all, they were a historical juncture when humanity began a new era: the transition from modernity to – what we now call – postmodernity.
The twentieth century witnessed two world wars, technical-scientific failures in solving the most pressing problems facing society and humanity, and the failure of political and economic systems to eradicate inequality, social injustice, and poverty – systems that, on the altar of ideologies, sacrificed human freedom and equality. This, in turn, provoked a feeling that history lacked a future and frustrated our hopes for progress. A lack of motivation in humanity's efforts and work ensued, followed by a disposition towards the quick and easy, apathy toward the common good, and a search for refuge in everything individual and personal, with the consequent rejection of everything hierarchical and institutional.
ABOVE ALL, THE GOSPEL!
POPE FRANCIS: TWELVE YEARS OF HIS PONTIFICATE
On March 13, 2025, Pope Francis reaches the twelfth anniversary of his Petrine ministry at 88 years of age and in diminished and fragile health. This is a propitious time to reflect, analyze, and consider what this pontificate, the 266th in the history of Catholicism, has meant for the Catholic Church and the world.
An Institution with a two-thousand-year history, comprised of us, the baptized, has been contaminated by ambition and struggles for the world’s power throughout the history of humanity. This power does not serve the weakest; rather, it tramples and crushes (Mt 20:25-29). The Church has also been contaminated by greed for material goods, which often transforms the guides, leaders, and hierarchs of the Church into merchants of faith (“Do not turn my Father’s house into a den of thieves” (Mt 21:12-16); “You cannot serve God and money” (Mt 6:24). This is a greed that prevents the Church from being “poor and of the poor.” These are two thousand years of history in which the world’s hedonism has also seeped into the lives of ecclesiastical leaders.