Watching the events surrounding the selection of the new Pope reminded me of two important sociological concepts: the sacred ...

Adrian Pallarols, who worked with the late pontiff for 30 years after meeting in their native Buenos Aires, Argentina, recalled designing the special Communion chalice used by Pope Francis when he ...

Things that are accepted as sacred (e.g., a gold chalice) take on a significance that raises them above everyday objects and experiences. In contrast, the profane world is the sphere of everyday ...