Skip to Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life Full Site Menu Skip to main content

About the Initiative

The Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life is a unique effort to promote dialogue on Catholic social thought and national and global issues, build bridges across political, religious, and ideological lines, and encourage a new generation of Catholic lay leaders to see their faith as an asset in pursuing the common good.

Events

Pope Francis hugs a young boy at a luncheon at Catholic Charities DC during his visit to the United States in 2015.
May
6
2025

Remembering Pope Francis Event

After the death of Pope Francis, the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life and the Office of Mission & Ministry at Georgetown University brought people together to remember and reflect upon his faithful service, courageous leadership, and caring ministry. This dialogue also explored…

Pope Francis waves to crowd in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican

Media Around Pope Francis’ Legacy and Pope Leo XIV’s Election

Kim Daniels and John Carr of Georgetown University’s Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life offer their expertise to journalists seeking interviews on a variety of subjects related to Pope Francis’s legacy, the history of the papacy, and the election of Pope Leo XIV.

Christopher White to Join Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life

Christopher White is joining the Initiative team in July 2025 as Associate Director for Strategic Engagement and Senior Fellow. 

Chris White is an award-winning journalist with impressive experience and expertise covering the U.S. and global Catholic Church. For the last four years, Chris has covered the Vatican for the National Catholic Reporter (NCR), and before that served as NCR’s national correspondent. He previously served as a reporter for Crux. We’re glad to welcome him back home to the United States to join our growing team.

Read the full announcement.

Vatican names liberal San Diego Cardinal Robert McElroy as new D.C. leader

In this Washington Post article, Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life director Kim Daniels said Cardinal Robert McElroy “takes to heart Pope Francis’s call to accompany people with mercy in the concrete particulars of their lives. In politics, he’ll offer a smart and distinctive Catholic voice, with a record of putting the poor and vulnerable first while seeking opportunities for dialogue and engagement,” and Initiative founder John Carr said “Cardinal McElroy will be principled, not political. His priorities will be moral, not ideological. He will be civil, but not silent in challenging the administration when their policies threaten the poor and vulnerable.”