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The Fanfiction Reckoning
First Things is proud to introduce a new podcast series. Secret Third Thing is a show about contemporary culture. First Things editors Virginia Aabram and Germรกn S. Dรญaz del...
Our Most Popular Articles of 2025
Itโs been a big year for First Things. Our website was completely redesigned, and stories like the death of Pope Francis, the election of Pope Leo XIV, and the...
What Weโve Been ReadingโAutumn 2025
First Things staff share their most recent autumn reading recommendations.
Heritage and the Right
The editors discuss the troubles at Heritage, the conservative think tank whose president recently touched off a controversy by releasing a video statement in support of Tucker Carlson. The...
Pope and Parliament
The editors discuss Great Britainโs assisted suicide bill, Pope Leoโs first major interview, and Charlie Kirkโs memorial service. Dan Hitchens joins Julia Yost. The conversation is embedded below. For...
Turning Point
The editors discuss the assassination of Charlie Kirk and the rise of political violence in America. Rusty Reno joins Julia Yost. The conversation is embedded below. For your long-term convenience,...
Winners of the Second Annual First Things Poetry Prize
We are pleased to announce the winners of the second annual First Things Poetry Prize. T. O. Brandon has won first place for his poem โMadonna and Child (after...
What Weโve Been ReadingโSummer 2025
Upon reading my short stories, Jaspreet Singh Boparai urged me to read the French Decadents, especially J. K. Huysmans. This summer I sprinted throughย The Damnedย (Lร -Bas), enthralled...
At Home and Abroad
The editors discuss conservatismโs big wins at the Supreme Court and Americaโs military and diplomatic ventures in the Middle East. Rusty Reno joins Julia Yost. The conversation is embedded below....
Last Call for Submissions to the First Things Poetry Prize
The second annual First Things Poetry Prize isย open for submissionsย until June 30. Dana Gioia is this year’s outside judge. $2,000 will be awarded to the winner and $1,000 to...
L.A. and Elon
The editors discuss the immigration riots in Los Angeles, and Donald Trumpโs feud with Gavin Newsom. Then they discuss that other feud. Rusty Reno joins Julia Yost. The conversation...
The Popecast
The editors discuss the first days of the pontificate of Leo XIV, the first American pope. Then, a report on the popeโs brothers. Rusty Reno, editor Dan Hitchens, and...
What Weโve Been ReadingโMay
R. R. Reno A friend recommended Balcony in the Forest by Julien Gracq. The French writer published a number of novels in the mid-twentieth century that depict characters in...
Pius vs. Innocent
While waiting for news from the real-life conclave, the editors re-watch the 2024 feature film Conclave and the 2017 HBO series The Young Pope. Then they air their hopes...
Francis and Following
The editors discuss Pope Francis, whose twelve-year pontificate ended with his death on Easter Monday. Then the staff preview their picks for the upcoming conclave. Rusty Reno and Dan...