I’m your Weekend Plug-in columnist, and I’m excited to launch the fourth year of this newsletter.

Plug-in aims to highlight the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith. In 2023, we’re tweaking our format to make it even smarter and more concise.

Let’s jump right in!

What To Know: The Big Story

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI died Saturday at age 95. Clementi Lisi recounts the life of the first pope in 600 years to resign.

Pope Francis presided over the funeral Mass for his predecessor, as Lisi reports. But some found fault with Francis’ brief homily for Benedict, according to The New York Times’ Jason Horowitz and Ruth Graham.

For more coverage from the Vatican, follow The Associated Press’ Nicole Winfield, the National Catholic Reporter’s Christopher White, Religion News Service’s Claire Giangravé and the Wall Street Journal’s Francis X. Rocca.

Looking ahead: Francis may have a freer hand after Benedict’s death, Rocca reports. But U.S. bishops’ rift with Francis is unlikely to ease, according to AP’s David Crary. At Crux, Elise Ann Allen explores whether Benedict’s death might open the door to new rules for retired popes.

More: Lisi presents “5 Catholic storylines you need to follow closely in 2023.”

Power Up: The Week’s Best Reads

1. Football and prayer: In America, the phrase “thoughts and prayers” is uttered frequently at painful times, as Poynter.org’s Al Tompkins notes.

But what happens when people actually pray?

That happened this week after Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field in Cincinnati. New York Times religion writer Ruth Graham delves into how the prayers for Hamlin show the bond between football and faith.

In an insightful piece at ReligionUnplugged.com, Leocciano Callao notes, “The expression of emotion, spiritual care and request for prayer rippled across Twitter and other platforms, igniting debate and intrigue.”

How’s this for an answered prayer? Doctors report Hamlin woke up and even asked, “Did we win?”

2. Faith on the Hill: With a new Congress starting work (well, eventually maybe?), the Pew Research Center’s Jeff Diamant details the religious composition of the House and Senate.

Bottom line, as explained by Associated Press religion writer Peter Smith:

Congress is far more Christian, and religious overall, than today’s general population.

Even though nearly three in 10 Americans claim no religious affiliation — a rate that has steadily risen in recent years — only two of the 534 incoming members of Congress publicly identify as such.

3. When does life begin?: “The question at the heart of America’s abortion debate is the most elemental — and the most complicated.”

For this must-read story, New York Times religion writer Elizabeth Dias “spoke with scientists, philosophers and spiritual leaders over several months.” Click here for tmatt’s commentary on this fine piece, which made religious questions a key part it’s reporting equation.

CONTINUE READING “Launching the New And Improved Weekend Plug-In” by Bobby Ross, Jr., at Religion Unplugged.