For Pope Leo, the risen Christ of this Easter season announces true peace. If Leo XIV, himself a bridge between the divided Americas, can truly help renew our bridge-building, dialogue and peace-seeking efforts, he will be a profound gift to our moment

Anna Rowlands, St Hilda professor of Catholic social thought & practice, Durham University, letter in The Times, 10 May

It has a neat and theatrical papal election process. Indeed, so dramatic is the setting, the costumes and the procedure that it proved prime fodder for author Robert Harris and the film of his book, Conclave. . . Compare this to the Church of England . . . whose process for choosing a successor would, if it was dramatised, be more like a 16-part re-run of Crossroads, buried deep in the early afternoon schedules

William Sitwell, The Daily Telegraph, 10 May

Last year, supporters of assisted dying were adamant that only wreckers and religious zealots could have doubts about this bill. Now it seems that not only was there scope for improvement all along, but such improvements as have been attempted are so confused, they only serve to highlight how messy and compromised the entire project is

Sarah Ditum, The Times, 14 May

A parish church is often central to the community. It is a hub around which a village, town or city has grown. It gives a great sense of place. Parishes have a specific duty to serve all their communities, regardless of faith, background or affiliation. Our churches are not just there for Sunday services; they are active seven days a week

Marsha De Cordova, Second Church Estates Commissioner, Westminster Hall debate, 13 May

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