Here’s a rundown of some of the issues the pope tried to keep at the forefront of the news in 2021 and articles about them you may have missed.

The Vatican has reaffirmed its support of Covid-19 vaccines with both the head of the Pontifical Academy for Life and a Holy See communique reiterating Pope Francis’ insistence that getting inoculated is “an act of love.”

The thin body of evidence on the true health risks of bringing the chalice back to Mass should lead to humility rather than overconfidence. We must be open to changing behaviors based on new knowledge.

Michael Rozier, S.J., said that the archbishop’s claim that his “good” immune system exempts him from needing a vaccine is simply out of touch with science.

San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, who has advised Catholics to get the vaccine against Covid-19, revealed this week that he has not yet been vaccinated himself and offered explanations that may confuse the issue for some of his flock.

Principal Bob Ryan knew his decision to require Covid-19 vaccinations or frequent testing would be controversial. What he did not anticipate was what he has called a concerted “campaign to impugn Brophy.”