John Allen

It's better to try, no matter how awkward you feel, than not to try it at all. Would you rather read more

It's better to try, no matter how awkward you feel, than not to try it at all. Would you rather deal with the consequences or the prevention?

For Opening Day last year, almost 22,000 fans arrived at the ballpark within an hour of the first pitch. We read more

For Opening Day last year, almost 22,000 fans arrived at the ballpark within an hour of the first pitch. We advise they arrive a lot earlier on Monday. The later the fans wait to arrive, the more difficult it will be to get to and enter the ballpark.

They're kind of groping their way forward to understand how they can make the pope as available as possible to read more

They're kind of groping their way forward to understand how they can make the pope as available as possible to his followers while at the same time protecting his health.

Frank is definitely not a keeping-the-seat-warm kind of figure. I've known Frank fairly well for six years. I wouldn't use read more

Frank is definitely not a keeping-the-seat-warm kind of figure. I've known Frank fairly well for six years. I wouldn't use the term 'rising star,' but in the world of the Vatican he is very highly thought of ... he's someone who could be an archbishop someday.

The charisma, the celebrity, around John Paul was so strong that, in a way, the religious significance of the event read more

The charisma, the celebrity, around John Paul was so strong that, in a way, the religious significance of the event sort of fades from view. Benedict is obviously determined that is not going to happen. He's trying very hard to make sure the focus is on the ritual, not the person.