Parliamentary inquests have been used in the past to dig deeply into unresolved Mafia crimes and terrorist attacks, and can be activated to conduct investigations “on matters of public interest,” according to the Italian Constitution.

In his final general audience on the theme of discernment, Pope Francis says, "The goal of discernment is to recognize the salvation God is working in my life."

A Reflection for Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent, by Colleen Dulle

Nation-states have modeled a holistic approach that involves all who were affected by injustice and may contribute to a solution. The church can do the same as a response to the clerical sex abuse crisis.

Electronic encryption allows people to keep a list of information secure and untouchable by centralized powers. To some investors and speculators, and apparently to some Catholics, that possibility holds enormous appeal.

Bishop Daniele Libanori also said the claims of the women about the Rev. Marko Ivan Rupnik were true and that they had “seen their lives ruined by the evil suffered and by the complicit silence” of the church.

George W. Hunt, S.J., editor in chief of America from 1984 to 1998, wrote about some of our nation's most famous authors. But he was a gifted writer himself, as seen in his many Christmas essays for the magazine.

This week on “The Gloria Purvis Podcast,” Gloria speaks with Binta Niambi Brown, a talent manager in the music and entertainment industry, about the need for Catholics to denounce Kanye West’s anti-Black and antisemitic remarks.

As ever, Stephen Adly Guirgis writes hilarious, profane dialogue and puts his characters in contention over matters both petty and portentous.

A Reflection for Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent, by Zac Davis

Voters generally rejected “election denier” candidates this year, but barriers to full voter access remain significant. Catholics still have an important role to play in protecting democracy.

I have a confession to make: I have not been to confession yet this Advent. Every year, I bug people to go sometime during the season, and I think most of my family has been. But I have not yet gone myself.

Where a lot of Catholic Christmas hymns lean into the more fantastical elements—angels, stars, kings—“In the Bleak Midwinter” points us instead to the ordinary.

The Jesuits asked for new evidence against the Rev. Marko Ivan Rupnik, and offered a timeline about his case in an effort to tamp down the scandal.

Pope Francis said he wrote a resignation letter in 2013, his first year in office, to be used in case he became physically or mentally impaired and unable to fulfill the duties of the papacy.

A Reflection for Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent, by Molly Cahill

Frank Pavone, the head of Priests for Life, has been laicized by the Vatican for his social media posts and disobedience to his bishop.

The great Jesuit missionary to China, Matteo Ricci, was declared "Venerable" by Pope Francis today, the first step on the path to canonization.

A Reflection for Saturday of the Third Week of Advent, by Sebastian Gomes

A Reflection for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, by Jim McDermott, S.J.