The role of the pope is in a process of conversion from worldly monarch to world’s priest.

Pope Francis welcomed criticism—as long as it was not made behind his back.

The people of God see the bishop of Rome as a teacher, but they also unquestionably see him as a father.

Much of what you hear about who the next pope will be, spoken with enormous confidence by people in the know, is often completely contradictory.

Canon law does not give much specific direction about who can make decisions for the church during the interregnum.

The attention of the church now turns decisively to the question of Francis’ successor and the preparations for the conclave that will elect him.