NEXT TO MATHEMATICS, theology is the discipline least conducive to journalism. So certain precincts of the press should be forgiven their recent headlines about the Vatican and the realm known as limbo.

The Times of London claimed that limbo had been “banished on orders of the Pope,” while a New York Times headline reported, “Pope Closes Limbo.” Agence France-Presse ran with the most magisterial headline of all, declaring, “Vatican abolishes limbo; opens gates of heaven for babies.” None of which is quite right.