Many Catholic stories that could have the biggest longterm impact are often ignored because they don’t take place in the West: Pakistan getting a Cardinal, Indian bishop facing revolt for raping a nun, Vatican deal with China, etc. We could use a little more perspective.

#BreakingNews about the Catholic Church always reminds me of the first chapter of each of the gospels. Important stories about important emperors and kings who were sure they’d be remembered. Meanwhile, a couple of poor no-name Jews trek home to register...

In 1000 years, it’s very possible that the most important stuff happening right now isn’t in the news. While everyone talks about Trump and Francis, the most important saint in the 21st century is probably completely unknown and currently washing dishes in Hyderabad or Wuhan.

I always imagine people in Rome thinking that one day there would be a lot of Hispanics named Claudius, "Puff the Magic Dragon" would be sung by "Augustus, Caligula, and Domitian," and billions of people from every race and nation would gather once a week to worship Caesar.

Instead, everyone thinks Vespasian is a scooter and Valerian is a kind of sword on Game of Thrones. Nero, the guy who set fire to Rome and blamed the Christians, is best known as a crossword puzzle answer on Mondays, the easiest day of the week.

1,000 years from now (if we make it that far) no one will remember Paul Manafort or Robert Mueller. If they’re lucky, Obama and Trump will be in the Monday crosswords. After all, both have 5 letters and Obama has a lot of vowels.

None of their works will matter. The Predator drones will be in museums that no one goes to, the NSA data farms will become abandoned buildings where kids have sex, and we will all still be waiting for George R R Martin to finish his next book.

The sun will have set on the American empire, the smoke from her will go up forever, and after all of this, faintly in the distance, we will hear the approaching sound of horses.