J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy world was in many ways a direct reflection of his understanding of reality.

Let us pray to John Paul I “to obtain for us ‘the smile of the soul,’ a transparent smile that does not deceive.”

The beatification of John Paul I took place on a rainy but joyous Sunday in St. Peter’s Square, with a homily by Pope Francis on the beauty of a church “with a happy, serene and smiling face.”

A Reflection for the Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, by J.D. Long-García

Pope for only 33 days, John Paul I is known both as "The Smiling Pope" and "The Forgotten Pope." On Sept. 4, he will be beatified. What were his life and papacy like?

In the second part of his interview with America’s Vatican correspondent, Cardinal McElroy describes the discussions of Vatican finance and sexual abuse reforms that happened in the cardinals' meeting this week.

For all the buzz surrounding its publication, the Irish synod synthesis is both sober and humble in tone and yet inspiring and hopeful.

A Reflection for Friday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time, by Kevin Jackson

“Inside the Vatican” is back from summer break this week, just as the Vatican wraps up an unusually jam-packed late August.

Cardinal Robert McElroy reflects on receiving the red hat from Pope Francis and discusses the points of consensus as well as disagreement at the first worldwide meeting of cardinals since 2014.