PR in the Philippines

With cardinals convening in Rome to select a new leader for the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, the Catholic Church faces a pivotal moment. The central question for the conclave is whether to maintain the more inclusive and expansive interpretation of faith championed by Francis, or to return to the more conservative and traditional approaches of his predecessors, John Paul II and Benedict XVI. The Church has encountered similar turning points throughout its modern history. The Council of Trent, held from 1545 to 1560, addressed the Church's response to the Protestant Reformation. Martin Luther, an Augustinian friar before his 1520 excommunication, had criticized the corruption within medieval Catholicism, emphasizing justification by faith (rather than works) and the concept of the priesthood of all believers. The prelates at the Council of Trent had to decide whether to acknowledge and correct the excesses of the Church by embracing a more simplified Protestantism advocated by Luther and other Reformers. However, Trent chose a different path, reinforcing its Catholic identity through the affirmation of sacraments and good works. This intensified Catholicism is evident in the Baroque and Rococo architecture that followed, which John Updike described as "the incredible visual patisserie of baroque church interiors, mock-marble pillars of paint-veined gesso melting upward into trompe-l’oeil ceilings bubbling with cherubs, everything gilded and tipped and twisted and skewed to titillate the eye, huge wedding-cake interiors meant to stun Hussite peasants back into the bosom of Catholicism.” Another crucial juncture for modern Catholicism arose after Pope Pius XII's death in October 1958. The cardinals chose Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, a 76-year-old they considered a "caretaker" pope, who took the name John XXIII. However, he proved to be far from a caretaker. Announcing it was “time to throw open the windows of the Church and let the fresh air of the spirit blow through,” he convened the Second Vatican Council, which reformed Church theology and liturgy (including mass in the vernacular) and, according to its supporters, modernized the Church. Pope Paul VI, John XXIII's successor, faced another critical decision shortly after Vatican II concluded. John XXIII had established the Pontifical Commission on Birth Control to review the Church's stance on the matter. Paul VI expanded the commission to include laywomen, married couples, theologians, and bishops. The overwhelming recommendation was that the Church should revise its teaching to permit artificial birth control. However, Paul VI rejected this recommendation and issued the papal encyclical on July 25, 1968. The Church declared that the only acceptable method of birth control was the rhythm method, which critics quickly labeled "Vatican Roulette." Humanae Vitae led many Catholics, especially in the United States, to believe that the Pope was out of touch. Second-wave feminism, the pursuit of upward mobility, career opportunities, and the desire for smaller families prompted many Catholic households to disregard the papal directive on birth control. Studies have indicated that Catholic attendance declined after 1968; many Catholics felt for the first time that it was acceptable to disobey the Pope while still considering themselves good Catholics. Now, following Pope Francis's death, the Church is again at a crossroads. Conservatives, whom Mark Massa, a historian and Jesuit, calls "Catholic Fundamentalists," are pushing for a pope who will reverse course. They criticize Francis for his overtures to the and for allowing priests to bless same-sex unions. They allege that he has "feminized" the Church by calling out what others describe as "toxic masculinity." They disapprove of his restricting the traditional Latin mass and considering the ordination of married men. The other faction within the Church emphasizes that Francis sought to welcome marginalized individuals—gays, lesbians, divorced people—into the Church and demonstrated concern for immigrants and the poor, positions that appeal to a younger generation of Catholics. They also value his focus on addressing climate change. While the term liberal may seem contradictory in the context of the Roman Catholic Church, this second group seeks to continue Francis's work and legacy. The conclave is at a turning point, and the cardinals' choice will likely shape the Church's direction for years to come. As an Episcopal priest, with only a vested interest in the conclave, I hesitate to make predictions. However, I am reminded of the lyrics from "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" by the Charlie Daniels Band, a musical duel between Satan and a young man named Johnny. The devil wagers a golden fiddle against Johnny's soul, beginning with a bow across the strings, creating "an evil hiss." While technically flawless, the rendition lacks soul. When Johnny takes his turn, the fiddle resonates with energy and passion—and he triumphs. Whoever emerges victorious from the cardinals' deliberations will inherit a church rich in ornamentation but still in need of the energy and passion that Francis brought to the task. ```

` tags. I'd like you to meet Mrs. L.R., a 98-year-old patient who has enjoyed remarkable health throughout her life. Her primary care physician referred her to me to investigate swelling in her legs, also known as edema. During our initial meeting, I noted she arrived alone, driving herself to the medical center. I soon discovered she's an exceptionally active and healthy woman who lives independently, maintains a wide social circle, and values her alone time. Her exceptional health is not typical for her family. Her mother passed away at 59, her father at 64, and her two brothers at 43 and 75. Three years prior to our meeting, her husband died at 97. He also enjoyed a similar long health span, which contrasted with his parents and siblings, who experienced chronic illnesses and died much younger. After her husband's death, Mrs. L.R. became depressed and lost 30 pounds. She lost interest in her hobbies like painting and jigsaw puzzles. However, she continued playing cards and Rummikub weekly with a group of eight women. One of these friends suggested she move to a senior living apartment after living in her house for decades. This move introduced her to new artists, new friends, and an expanded social circle. This helped her return to her "old" self, reviving her passions and regaining a healthy weight. The purpose of the consultation was to determine the cause of her leg edema. Although she had no history of high blood pressure, an echocardiogram revealed a thickened heart with heart muscle function exceeding the normal range. Her ejection fraction, the amount of blood pumped out of the main chamber with each heartbeat, was abnormally high. I diagnosed diastolic dysfunction. Her heart had stiffened, making it difficult to relax. This explained the leg edema, which was treated easily and resolved within days. Mrs. L.R. is an example of a super ager. She's an unusual person who has avoided the common diseases associated with aging, defying typical expectations for aging. Her and her husband's extreme health span and longevity don't seem to be due to genetics. Medical scientists don't fully understand it but would conclude, based on our understanding of the biology of aging and the process of elimination, that it's stochastic, a random occurrence of good luck. In stark contrast, consider Mr. R.P., another patient I've been following for over 30 years. He is also 98 years old and has led a relatively healthy life. At 75, after undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery at 62, Mr. R.P. experienced chest pain during exertion. At that time, I placed two stents in one of his bypass grafts that had become blocked due to atherosclerosis, which restricts blood flow. He later developed rapid atrial fibrillation that didn't respond to medication, requiring two ablation procedures to maintain a normal heart rhythm. Years later, he had a shoulder replacement and suffered a minor stroke post-operatively. At 96, he was hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia and, despite a lengthy hospital stay, didn't develop respiratory failure and fully recovered. Mr. R.P. showcases the achievements of modern medicine. He had severe atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, but with repeated restoration of blood flow to his heart and aggressive secondary prevention, he remained well. He embodies the medical advancements made in treating age-related diseases. What's exciting now is that we can accurately predict heart disease and other major diseases of aging in high-risk individuals decades in advance, allowing for primary prevention, or at least a significant delay in their onset. Doctors can't promise to reverse or stop aging, but we can promise that the second half of our lives will be healthier than that of previous generations. This is the type of longevity we will see more frequently in the future because of remarkable progress in lifestyle, cells, genomics, artificial intelligence, drugs, and vaccines. These factors interact: lifestyle influences our microbiome and cells. Our response to drugs and vaccines is affected by our genomics and cells, and the discovery of new drugs has been accelerated by gene variants and AI. There are still considerable obstacles—including health disparities across the U.S.—but as we advance, we will inevitably see a reduction in age-related diseases that is currently unimaginable for many. Achieving the more ambitious goal of slowing the aging process itself will take years. However, when we do, super agers like Mrs. L.R. and Mr. R.P. will be viewed as ordinary, vibrant people making valuable contributions to society. I recently turned 70, and I hope that you and I will be among them. From SUPER AGERS: An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity by Eric Topol, MD. Copyright © 2025 by Eric Topol, MD. Reprinted by permission of Simon & Schuster, LLC.

Following the death of a Pope, a highly secretive papal conclave is held in the Vatican, during which cardinals select the next leader of the Catholic Church. After the Pope's death, preparations commenced for the conclave, with cardinals traveling to Rome from all corners of the globe. On Wednesday, May 7, the conclave's first day, cardinals convened to vote. The lack of a decision was signaled by black smoke billowing from the Sistine Chapel's chimney that evening. To be elected Pope, a candidate needs at least two-thirds of the vote. A successful election is indicated by white smoke emerging from the Sistine Chapel. On the second day, four rounds of voting are held, and this pattern continues until the next Catholic Church leader is chosen. Theoretically, this process could go on indefinitely. It's not surprising that conclaves have been known to take a long time in the past. However, recent elections have been much quicker. The election of Pope Gregory XVI in 1831, which took 51 days of voting, was the last conclave to last longer than a week. Here's an overview of how the length of conclaves has evolved recently. The longest conclave in history—and how it came to be The Catholic Church experienced a significant crisis following Pope Clement VI's death in 1268. The group was divided between the Guelphs and Ghibellines. This division, along with personal and political agendas of the cardinals, resulted in a stalemate that lasted almost three years. A decision was only reached after the Viterbo city gates, where the conclave was being held, were locked and all contact with the outside world was cut off. In response to this three-year conclave, Pope Gregory X declared in 1274 that future conclaves must be held in seclusion, with no communication between cardinals and the outside world. —Latin for "with a key"— This term evolved into "conclave," which is now the name for this electoral procedure. In the years that followed, conclaves could last anywhere from a few days to several months. How long have recent conclaves been? Fortunately for Catholics and the rest of the world, recent conclaves haven't stretched on for a grueling three years. Of the last five, the longest lasted only three days. The most recent conclave lasted two days. Cardinals only needed five rounds of voting to elect the new Pontiff: one on the first day and four on the second. Pope Benedict XVI was chosen by cardinals in 2005 in the same amount of time, two days. . Pope John Paul II was elected in October after eight rounds of voting spread over three days. Just months earlier, in August, John Paul I was elected in two days. shortly after becoming Pope. His sudden death has been the subject of conspiracy theories. Fifteen years prior, in June 1963, after three days of voting. How long will this conclave take? An exact timeframe is impossible to predict, but if recent conclaves are anything to go by, we should know who the next head of the Catholic Church will be within a week.

To foresee the shape of things to come, look no further than Africa, a youthful and rapidly expanding continent brimming with untapped possibilities. As women who grew up in Africa, we have personally seen the immense potential it possesses. By 2050, Africans will constitute a quarter of the global population. This surge in youth presents an unparalleled opportunity. With the right investments, these young individuals can fuel global innovation and economic progress. The next major technological breakthrough could originate from Lagos. The future medical innovator might be currently studying in Nairobi. They will establish startups, populate entire industries, and provide the ingenuity that every economic revolution requires. Inspiring stories are already emerging from across Africa, demonstrating what can be achieved when young Africans are given the resources and opportunities to flourish. In Nigeria, Temie Giwa-Tubosun founded LifeBank, using technology to deliver blood and oxygen to hospitals, and has saved over 20,000 lives since 2016. From to , African innovators are leading the way in fintech, green tech, and creative sectors. However, millions of young Africans are at risk of never realizing their potential due to a disease that is preventable and treatable. Two decades ago, the world came together to combat the AIDS crisis, and it was successful. Twenty-six million lives have been saved, and 8 million babies were born HIV-free. Young people gained access to life-saving medication, and maternal mortality rates declined. Africa's progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS has been transformative. On a broader scale, several African nations have made significant strides by setting a precedent for inclusive growth. Consider : once one of the world's poorest countries with the highest HIV rates, Botswana's GDP per capita soared from just over $500 in 1966 to over $6,800 by 2018 – one of the . During the same period, rose from 54 to 66, despite the devastating impact of HIV. Botswana even surpassed its targets for ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic four years ahead of schedule. But the fight is now at a crucial juncture. Research published in The Lancet HIV last month cautioned that planned cuts to international aid by the five largest donor countries could undo 25 years of progress with the stroke of a pen. In the worst-case scenario, we could see an additional 10.8 million HIV infections and 2.9 million more AIDS-related deaths by 2030—levels not seen since the early 2000s. We are witnessing the human impact of these funding cuts firsthand through our own work. In KwaZulu-Natal, for example, where approximately 1.9 million South Africans are living with HIV, Dalisu, a 20-year-old performing arts student, relied on a PEPFAR-supported community program that offered youth-friendly healthcare. (Name has been changed to protect privacy.) Due to funding cuts that forced the program's sudden closure, his only option for treatment is now his university clinic. Fear of stigma and discrimination has led him to miss appointments, placing him at risk of viral rebound. Without immediate intervention, Dalisu's health and future are in jeopardy. Millions of young Africans are now facing similar challenges as essential support programs disappear. Of course, being HIV-positive does not extinguish ambition. Many talented individuals with access to treatment have built successful careers. But imagine how many more success stories could emerge if fewer young people had to face this challenge in the first place. By continuing to address HIV at its root, we can unlock even greater potential, liberating individuals and communities from the burden it places on their health, education, and economies. African leaders themselves are dedicated to a clear path toward sustainability and fully funding their healthcare systems, with a focus on essential medicines and delivery methods. Countries like have transitioned away from support for medical supplies, while others, such as and , are filling the gaps created by aid cuts. There are also significant opportunities for collaboration across the continent to invest in local manufacturing and joint procurement of medicines, thereby unlocking the economic potential within the health sector. Enhancing the efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability of treatment delivery, investing in healthcare workers and infrastructure, utilizing advances in technology, and engaging the diaspora to invest in the ecosystem will accelerate this transition to full self-sufficiency. Young Africans are ready to take the lead. They have demonstrated what is possible when we invest in their health, education, and ideas. Now it is time for all of us—governments, philanthropists, and global citizens—to match that ambition. Our future depends on it. ```

Columbia University is once again at the center of pro-Palestinian demonstrations on college campuses after protesters attempted to take over its main library on Wednesday. New York police intervened, making arrests related to the protests. Officials, including the mayor and governor, as well as members of the Trump Administration, have commented on the ongoing situation. Here’s what you need to know. How did the protest begin? The protests started around 3:15 p.m. on May 7, according to the student newspaper, just days before exams.  Approximately 100 protesters entered Reading Room 301 of Butler Library and displayed a “Liberated Zone” banner similar to those used during last year’s pro-Palestinian encampments on campus. Videos on showed the occupants, many wearing keffiyehs and masks, chanting “Free Palestine.” also appears to show protesters writing messages on desks. A that seemed to originate from Columbia University Apartheid Divest, a coalition of student groups supporting the Palestinian cause, stated that the protesters had "renamed" the library "Basel Al-Araj Popular University" in honor of a Palestinian activist and writer who died in 2017. “The flood shows that as long as Columbia funds and profits from imperialist violence, the people will continue to disrupt Columbia’s profits and legitimacy,” the Substack post added, also reiterating calls for the University to divest from companies with business links to Israel. How have university authorities responded? The university issued a shortly after the protest began, stating that Columbia’s Public Safety Team was responding to the "disruption." Individuals were asked to identify themselves and warned that failure to do so could lead to arrests. on social media shows protesters the room.  Acting President Claire Shipman said in a follow-up that the university requested a New York police presence to secure Butler Library following the "disruption" in Reading Room 301. Shipman stated that two of Columbia’s Public Safety Officers were injured in the standoff with protesters. “These actions are outrageous,” she said. Shipman said they requested the NYPD’s assistance "due to the number of individuals participating in the disruption inside and outside of the building, a large group of people attempting to force their way into Butler Library creating a safety hazard, and what we believe to be the significant presence of individuals not affiliated with the University." How did law enforcement respond? The NYPD didn't get involved until several hours later. “At the direct request of Columbia University, the NYPD is responding to an ongoing situation on campus where individuals have occupied a library and are trespassing,” the NYPD posted on shortly after 7 p.m. The reported that around that time, NYPD officers—including members of the Strategic Response Group—entered the library. A video posted by showed protesters chanting, “We have nothing to lose but our chains.” on showed NYPD escorting protesters out of the library. According to the Columbia Daily Spectator, approximately 75 people were arrested, although the NYPD has not confirmed the total number of arrests.  What have officials said? New York City Mayor Eric Adams said in : “New York City will always defend the right to peaceful protest, but we will never tolerate lawlessness.” The mayor also urged parents of student protesters to make it clear to their children "that breaking the law is wrong." Adams cautioned those at the demonstrations who are not Columbia students to “exit the campus immediately, or you will be arrested. We will not tolerate hate or violence in any form in our city.” New York Governor Kathy Hochul also , stating she had been briefed on the situation at Columbia, adding: “Everyone has the right to peacefully protest. But violence, vandalism or destruction of property are completely unacceptable.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio on X: “We are reviewing the visa status of the trespassers and vandals who took over Columbia University’s library. Pro-Hamas thugs are no longer welcome in our great nation.” The Trump Administration in recent months has a number of participants in pro-Palestinian protests last year, including recent Columbia graduate Mahmoud Khalil. What is Columbia University’s history with student protests? Columbia was a focal point of pro-Palestinian protests across U.S. college campuses last year, starting with the first major pro-Palestinian campus encampment on April 17, 2024, on its Morningside campus. Protesters subsequently barricaded the University’s Hamilton Hall and called for it to be renamed “Hind’s Hall” after a child killed during Israel’s military offensive in Gaza. Historically, Columbia has been the site of famous . As in 2024, students also took over Hamilton Hall, and New York police also intervened. The 1968 protests have been the subject of in recognition of how they shaped campus activism and national politics in the U.S. How has the Trump Administration and the university cracked down on protests? The university has taken several steps to prevent similar incidents from occurring—following pressure from the Trump Administration. In March, Columbia issued a broad range of sanctions on students who participated in the 2024 protests, including "multi-year suspensions, temporary degree revocations, and expulsions." That same month, Columbia a series of counter-protest measures, including recruiting special officers authorized to make arrests, imposing restrictions on protests, limiting face mask use, and adopting a that holds students accountable for a broad range of acts deemed discriminatory to Israel. These measures followed the Trump Administration the cancellation of approximately $400 million in federal grants and contracts to Columbia. Many of the university’s new policies have been seen by as kowtowing to the Trump Administration. ```