Ask a Franciscan

Illustration of Pope Francis

Does Pope Francis Believe in Hell?

Pat McCloskey, OFM March 25, 2024

During a recent interview, Pope Francis raised the possibility that no one is in hell. Really? If so, doesn’t that mean, “Anything goes”? In his …

sperm meets the egg

Is Egg Donation Morally Acceptable?

Pat McCloskey, OFM January 25, 2024

A family member is giving her frozen eggs to women who can’t conceive. If we are to preserve human life in all its forms, shouldn’t these eggs be given a chance to live?

IVs in a hospital | Photo by insung yoon on Unsplash

What If a Pope Becomes Comatose?

Pat McCloskey, OFM August 24, 2023

When I heard that Pope Francis was undergoing surgery requiring general anesthesia, I wondered who would be in charge of the Church while he was incapacitated.

Baby being bpatized

Can This Child be Baptized?

Pat McCloskey, OFM July 6, 2023

My daughter and her boyfriend are not married but would like their newborn to be baptized in the Catholic Church.

A display showing Carlo Acutis and a monstrance is seen near his tomb at the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Assisi, Italy, Oct. 3, 2020. The Italian teen, who had a great love for the Eucharist, will be beatified Oct. 10 in Assisi. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Carlo Acutis and the Faithful Servant

Jim Van Vurst, OFM May 13, 2022

What is the correlation between Carlo Acutis and the Faithful Servant? Friar Jim explains...

Priest gives Eucharist to a woman

Tridentine Mass Revisited

Pat McCloskey, OFM March 24, 2022

Father Pat McCloskey, OFM, answers questions about the Latin Mass, a line in the Our Father, and heaven.

Kid feeding a dog under the table

‘Is Lying Always a Sin?’

Pat McCloskey, OFM February 22, 2022

Is lying always a sin?