Pope Leo XIV has restored some of the traditional garb and trappings of his office, but on substantive issues he has kept to his predecessor’s progressive path. That should please much of his flock. Our new polling suggests that Catholics are more open to change than many outside—and perhaps inside—the church might expect.

Leo is not alone in grappling with a rapidly changing world. AI, if it lives up to its promise, could supercharge global economic growth. A booming but workerless economy may be humanity’s ultimate destination. Our briefing examines the consequences.  

If imagining such a radically different future makes your head spin, return to the reassuring familiarity of the present day by playing our pint-sized news quiz.