More than three quarters of US Catholics have a “favourable” view of Pope Francis, but a quarter say he is “naïve”, according to the Pew Research Center (Joan Frawley Desmond). Cardinal Walter Brandmüller has accused German bishops of a “wholly dishonest ploy” on Communion for non-Catholic spouses. Cardinal Pietro Parolin has signalled the Vatican’s concern over Italy’s election results. Kerala’s high court has ordered a police probe into a land deal involving Cardinal George Alencherry (TA Ameerudheen). Catherine Soi reports on Muslims sheltering in a Catholic compound in the Central African Republic. Massimo Faggioli asks if liberal theologians are ready to “offer an alternative to the current neo-traditionalist vision of the Catholic tradition”. And Stephen Beale wonders why we close our eyes to pray. Follow me on Twitter @lukecoppen for updates throughout the day.