John Allen on "The Francis Effect" at St. Mary's Church

John Allen speaks on “The Francis Effect” at St. Mary’s
Church

A little more than a year ago, most of the world had never
heard of Jorge Mario Bergoglio. Today, he's Pope Francis, one of the most
talked about people on the planet. From disarming quotes such as his question,
"Who am I to judge?" about homosexuality to symbolic gestures like
washing the feet of the disabled on Holy Thursday, his candor and humility have
reinvigorated Catholics and gained praise from priests and pundits alike.

His impact even has a name—"The
Francis Effect"—and Boston Globe Vatican expert
John Allen is coming to Charlestown to talk about it. Mr. Allen will put
Pope Francis's comments and deeds in historical context and discuss the
significance of "The Francis Effect" for the Church, the Catholic
religion, and the world today.

The free talk will take place at St. Mary's Church at 55
Warren Street on Sunday, May 4 at 3pm. It's open to the public as part of The
Gallagher Lecture Series which began at St. Mary's in 2007. The series is named
in honor of Father Henry Gallagher, a beloved priest and native of Charlestown.
Past speakers have included Cardinal Sean O’Malley, and Sister Helen Prejean,
whose story was featured in the film Dead Man Walking.

Mr. Allen, whom Newsweek once called “the journalist
other reporters—and not a few cardinals—look
to for the inside story" on the papacy, serves as senior Vatican analyst
for CNN in addition to his role as associate editor and primary reporter for
Vatican and the Catholic Church at the Globe. He reported on the last
three popes as a correspondent for the National Catholic Reporter for 16
years. He has also written nine books on the Vatican and Catholic affairs, and
is a popular speaker both in the United States and internationally.

St. Mary's Church is home to Saint Mary-Saint Catherine of
Siena Parish, a Roman Catholic Parish formed in 2006 from two historic
Charlestown parishes. The parish is an intentionally inclusive community that
welcomes all of the many people who make up its diverse neighborhood and gets
involved in today's critical local and global issues.

Father Jim Ronan, pastor of St. Mary-St. Catherine of Siena,
is clearly a fan of Pope Francis. "The Pontiff has reinvigorated Catholics
worldwide with his humility and message of compassion, and surprised Church
leadership with his disregard for the trappings of his office," Fr. Ronan
said, adding, "Few, if any, journalists understand what it all means
better or can explain it as well as John Allen."

More information about the free lecture and the parish is
available at stmarystcatherine.org. Donations will be accepted at the event for
Harvest on Vine emergency food pantry.