Pope Francis’ words and actions have challenged Catholics and others to work together to protect the poor and vulnerable and promote the common good. What are the roles of the Pope, bishops, lay leaders, and Catholic media in applying Catholic Social Thought to issues of human life and dignity, economics, family life, war, and peace?
A diverse panel of prominent Catholic editors and publishers explored this task at a time of political and religious polarization. The dialogue was opened by Cardinal Theodore McCarrick and moderated by John Carr, the director of the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life.
Fr. Matt Malone, S.J. is the editor-in-chief of America, a weekly Catholic magazine operated by the Society of Jesus.
Paul Baumann is the editor of Commonweal, a Catholic magazine centered on the intersection between faith, contemporary politics, and culture.
R.R. Reno is the editor of First Things, a leading interreligious and nonpartisan journal.
Caitlin Hendel is the president and CEO of National Catholic Reporter.
Cardinal Theodore McCarrick is the archbishop emeritus of Washington, D.C.
John Carr is the director of the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life at Georgetown University. He is also the Washington correspondent for America; he joined the Georgetown faculty in 2013.