Our Takes Daily

God’s ambassadors
The Economist
Over the past century—despite the march of secularism—the Vatican's role in world affairs has expanded. The real explosion came under John Paul II. When he was elected in 1978, the Holy See had full ties with 85 countries. When he died, the figure was 174. It’s now 176. Some people question, however, whether or not the Vatican should have any diplomatic privileges at all.

A view from St. Peter’s
Vatican City
Seven weeks after Pope Benedict XVI praised Vatican civil servants for their work in "our little state, from the most visible to the most hidden," the state unveiled its own website. The site -- www.vaticanstate.va -- is linked to and works closely with the Vatican's main website, www.vatican.va, but provides more information about the offices that help run the state, as opposed to the Church. Officially launched July 19 in Italian, English, French, German and Spanish, the site includes live pictures from five webcams.

Why we are attracted to gossip
MSNBC.com
Gossip. It’s as compelling as a car wreck, irresistible as a whispered conversation at a nearby table. You indulge and then feel ashamed, like a dieter after dessert, says a new study. Experts seem to suggest that gossip might be good, but the Catholic understanding says differently. Our Sunday Visitor published a story in our June 2 issue about the ramifications of gossip on our fellow brothers and sisters and our souls.