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

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?

With the death of Frederick Buechner earlier this month, the nation lost one of its most profound novelists—as well as a spiritual writer of great depth and range.

Father Kabat, who called himself “a fool for Christ,” spent more than 17 of his 88 years in prison for his activism against the U.S. nuclear weapons program. He died on Aug. 4.

A violent assault on a famous author revives an ugly history: the fatwa against Salman Rushdie.

A Reflection for Friday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time, by James T. Keane

America's editors shy away from endorsing political candidates—but J.F.K. proved a hard case, both during his life and in the decades since.

Where have you gone, Vin Scully? A nation turns its lonely ear to you.

The Rev. Andrew Greeley had an enormous impact on the American Catholic Church—including through his many contributions to this magazine.

A Reflection for Wednesday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time