March 11, 2013

Vol. 208 No. 8Whole No. 5003 Download PDF

Editorials

Current Comment

Raising the Minimum; Save the Vote; Hearing All Sides

A Time to Act

President Obama also should urge Israel to adopt more moderate, conciliatory policies.

Articles

A Pope's Progress
Christopher Bellitto

Church historians measure time in centuries, not weeks, so it is a daunting challenge to attempt even a brief assessment of a pontificate just concluded.

Hello, I Must be Going
John W. O'Malley

Who was the last pope to step down from his office? How many popes have resigned?

Who's Next?
Thomas J. Reese

More questions and answers about the next pope from Thomas J. Reese, S.J.

Reading Benedict
Drew Christiansen, Tracey Rowland, Daniel J. Harrington, James Martin, SJ

Pope Benedict XVI’s announcement on Feb.

Off the Net
Our readers
News of the pope’s pending resignation sparked much commentary on America’s Web site. Here we offer a selection of the responses.

Books and Culture

Books
Disputed Questions
Daniel J. Harrington
In the biblical field there are matters of debate that remain unsettled, at least for now.
Television
Home Alone
Jim McDermott
Odds are, if you have checked out the entertainment section of a newspaper recently, you have heard som

Columns and Departments

The Word
The Life Offered
John W. Martens
Columns
Boom and Bust
Bill McGarvey
Of Many Things
Of Many Things
Matt Malone, S.J.
Letters
Letters
Our readers
Washington Front
The Pope They Missed
John Carr