Editor’s note: The historic interview with Pope Francis (Am. 9/30) has generated a great deal of dialogue in the church and in society at large. We asked several writers to offer their reactions to the pope’s words. Selections from these responses are printed below. The full versions of

From John W. O'Malley, S.J.: Francis lives the council's message in word and deed.

The first question asked of Pope Francis in the widely reported impromptu press conference on July 28 during the flight home from World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro was, not surprisingly, related to the Roman Curia: “What type of reform do you have in mind?” In his reply, the pope first m

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

Ten sure-fire ways to mix up the teachings of Vatican II.

The diaries of Yves Congar, the single most important theologian of Vatican II.

In These Pages: From November 19, 1983

Select 'America' articles by the Georgetown University historian

Lessons for higher education today

The question is easier to ask than to answer.