Michelle Boorstein

Washington, D.C.

Religion Reporter at The Washington Post

I cover religion (and other words for meaning-making) for The Washington Post. I like to share stuff on religion and journalism

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Articles

What Pope Leo XIV means for the U.S. Catholic church and Trump

4 days ago | startribune.com | Michelle Boorstein

Several U.S. cardinals who spoke to reporters Friday about Leo's selection thought he would want to be a bridge-builder to the administration. "Is there the same type of freedom in his heart and soul, that was in Francis? I believe yes. But that's different from asking: Is he going to express that freedom in the same exact manner, or the same pathways Pope Francis did," said Cardinal Robert McElroy, D.C.'s archbishop.
What Pope Leo XIV means for the U.S. Catholic church and Trump

4 days ago | washingtonpost.com | Michelle Boorstein

What Pope Leo XIV means for the U.S. Catholic church and Trump (washingtonpost.com) What Pope Leo XIV means for the U.S. Catholic church and Trump By Michelle Boorstein 2025050922521100 ROME — The new Chicago-raised Pope Leo XIV faces an immediate challenge in his native country: taming the brawling U.S. tribe of Catholics, riven by political divisions that have thwarted the will of his predecessors.
In choosing a pope, cardinals will call on a partner: The Holy Spirit

5 days ago | phillytrib.com | Michelle Boorstein

ROME — As the cardinals walk into the Sistine Chapel for the papal conclave, they’ll chant the plaintive prayer that their forebears have sung for centuries: Veni Creator Spiritus. Come, Holy Spirit.
Leo XIV, elevated by Francis, becomes 1st American pope

5 days ago | postguam.com | Anthony Faiola |Michelle Boorstein |Stefano Pitrelli

VATICAN CITY - As the sun set on Thursday over St. Peter’s Basilica, a 69-year-old prelate who began his calling as a Chicago altar boy stepped onto the central balcony as the first American pope, stunning Vatican City and the world by breaking the long-standing taboo of electing the son of a global superpower to lead the Catholic Church.
Leo XIV, elevated by Francis, becomes first American pope

5 days ago | washingtonpost.com | Anthony Faiola |Michelle Boorstein |Stefano Pitrelli

Leo XIV, elevated by Francis, becomes first American pope (washingtonpost.com) Leo XIV, elevated by Francis, becomes first American pope By Anthony Faiola; Michelle Boorstein; Stefano Pitrelli 2025050823064000 VATICAN CITY — As the sun set Thursday over St. Peter's Basilica, a 69-year-old prelate who began his calling as a Chicago altar boy stepped onto the central balcony as the first American pope, stunning Vatican City and the world by breaking the long-standing taboo of electing the son...
One nun’s angst: More hunger, less food, looming Trump cuts

5 days ago | adn.com | Michelle Boorstein

ILION, N.Y. - Just after sunrise on a recent Friday, Sister Betsy Van Deusen joined dozens of volunteers at a local church here to pack bags of strawberries, celery and breaded shrimp. One bag went to a 49-year-old bus driver whose recent medical bills were consuming his income. Two to a working grandmother who began coming to the food bank because of climbing food prices. Van Deusen smiled as clients filtered through the brightly lit room in a Presbyterian church.
No pope is chosen after 1st day of Vatican conclave

6 days ago | postguam.com | Anthony Faiola |Michelle Boorstein

VATICAN CITY - Black smoke billowing from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday evening signaled an inconclusive first vote to pick the next pontiff, pushing the next ballots to Thursday after a day of Latin chants echoing off sacred marble halls and a high procession of cardinals - the next pope surely among them. After a cry of “Extra omnes,” or “everyone out,” by an archbishop, the doors of the Sistine Chapel were shut around 5:44 p.m. as the conclave began amid hermetic secrecy.
Leo XIV, becomes first North American to lead the Catholic Church

6 days ago | washingtonpost.com | Michelle Boorstein |Anthony Faiola |Sammy Westfall |Kelsey Ables |Victoria Bisset |Mikhail Klimentov

Leo XIV, becomes first North American to lead the Catholic Church (washingtonpost.com) Leo XIV, becomes first North American to lead the Catholic Church By Michelle Boorstein; Anthony Faiola; Sammy Westfall; Rachel Pannett; Kelsey Ables; Victoria Bisset; Mikhail Klimentov 2025050805355100 This live coverage has ended. For Friday's live updates, click here . VATICAN CITY – Robert Prevost, 69, was elected pope Thursday, taking the name Leo XIV.
No pope is chosen after first day of Vatican conclave

1 week ago | washingtonpost.com | Anthony Faiola |Michelle Boorstein

No pope is chosen after first day of Vatican conclave (washingtonpost.com) No pope is chosen after first day of Vatican conclave By Anthony Faiola; Michelle Boorstein 2025050705000000 VATICAN CITY — Black smoke billowing from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday evening signaled an inconclusive first vote to pick the next pontiff, pushing the next ballots until Thursday after a day of Latin chants echoing off sacred marble halls and a high procession of cardinals, the next pope...
One nun’s angst: More hunger, less food, looming Trump cuts

1 week ago | washingtonpost.com | Michelle Boorstein

One nun’s angst: More hunger, less food, looming Trump cuts (washingtonpost.com) One nun’s angst: More hunger, less food, looming Trump cuts By Michelle Boorstein 2025050610005900 ILION, N.Y. — Just after sunrise on a recent Friday, Sister Betsy Van Deusen joined dozens of volunteers at a local church here to pack bags of strawberries, celery and breaded shrimp. One bag went to a 49-year-old bus driver whose recent medical bills were consuming his income.