'Hothouse,' by Boris Kachka

Many of us know the ruckus that emerged when Pope Francis tweeted "Idquo Iniquitas Radix Malorum," "Inequality is the root of evil." He got accused by the likes of Rush Limbaugh of being a Marxist.

Robert Wuthnow of Princeton University is now pretty much the dean of American sociologists of religion. Much like the late Rev. Andrew Greeley, Wuthnow is a very prolific author, penning a book about once a year.

Rarely has a film haunted me as much as Iranian director Asghar Farhadi's French language film, "The Past." It is a story about dysfunctional families and their miscommunications, secrets and lies.

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger responds to a 2001 America article by Cardinal Walter Kasper on the relationship between the universal church and local churches.

The Dignity of the Vulnerable By Meghan J. Clarke‘The dignity of the human person and the common good rank higher than the comfort of those who refuse to renounce their privileges” (No. 218). In a simple sentence, Pope Francis summarizes the bedrock of Catholic social doctrine: human dignity

For 100 years, the Catholic Church played a key role in San Francisco politics and culture.

Cesar Chavez is widely considered a great American hero. But 'From the Jaws of Victory' by Matt Garcia explores some of the activist's flaws not often acknowledged by those who know only the legend.

On Nov. 26, 2013, Pope Francis issued "Evangelii Gaudium" or “The Joy of the Gospel,” his first extensive piece of writing as pope. Below is a round up of news coverage and reflections on the apostolic exhortation.PODCAST: "The Francis Factor," November 27Am

From 2013: On several occasions, Francis has talked about tackling unemployment and signaled out the high unemployment of youth as one of the two most salient issues facing the world at present. He also attacked what he called unjust salaries.