by Pam Hackenmiller
Here's a rundown of the most-read stories on NCRonline.org for the month of July. The list is compiled with the help of Google Analytics. Miss any of these stories? Now's the time to get caught up.
5. Pot still boils in Rome while Francis is away by John L. Allen Jr., published July 26. Although he was with Pope Francis in Rio de Janeiro for World Youth Day, Allen had plenty to say about what Pope Francis would face when he returned home.
4. Francis in Brazil and a new scandal in Rome by John L. Allen Jr., published July 19. Allen looked at some of the "risks" facing Pope Francis on his trip to Rio, including his security and how the Brazilian protests would impact World Youth Day.
3. Veteran Jesuit explains choice to return to lay life by Robert McClory, published July 16. Former Jesuit Bert Thelen, who is almost 80, said he decided to return to the lay state "as a protest against the social injustices and sinful exclusions perpetrated by a patriarchal church."
2. Right wing 'generally not happy' with Francis, Chaput says by John L. Allen Jr., posted July 23. In this Q-and-A with Allen, Chaput bluntly tackled three questions about Pope Francis, his early record, and his trip to Brazil.
1. Pope on homosexuals: 'Who am I to judge?' by John L. Allen Jr., posted July 29. Of course the story everyone's talking about was the most popular on the site this month. Pope Francis told reporters aboard the papal plane on his trip home from Rio, " When I meet a gay person, I have to distinguish between their being gay and being part of a lobby. If they accept the Lord and have goodwill, who am I to judge them?"
