In many senses, Pope Francis has proven the most communication-savvy pontiff in history. Francis has proven willing to make himself available to a degree that previous popes never even considered.

Our readers offered a variety of perspectives on Pope Benedict XVI and his ministry after the publication of America's articles on his life and passing.

Watch: A conversation with Sam Sawyer, S.J., the 15th editor in chief of America.

“What should I do for Lent?” That’s the wrong question. Rather, it is not the first question we should ask. It is the last one. Let me explain.

Pope Francis has dismissed the idea that he could soon resign and stated clearly for the first time, “I believe that the pope’s ministry is ad vitam [for life]. I see no reason why it should not be so.”

The history of the church was nothing close to a steady, if interrupted, march to eliminate slavery.

Pope Francis explains the passion for evangelizing, which means that the disciples simultaneously stay with Jesus and go forth, having been sent by him.

Valentine’s Day has not historically been the favorite holiday of America writers, but reflections on love have always found a home in these pages.

A $50 million shrine in Oklahoma built to honor the slain missionary — killed by three masked assassins who entered his rectory during Guatemala’s civil war — is expected to draw thousands of pilgrims to his home state.

Pope Francis today publicly denounced the sentencing of Nicaragua’s Bishop Rolando Álvarez to 26 years and four months in prison.