Jesus preached by way of parable I reckon that if it worked for the master the disciple can ply the same craft which is why I often begin sermons with a story something that hopefully has a emotional hook to draw in the hearer But the Parable of the Prodigal Son is already so emotionally evoc

Let’s pray for a pope who takes God and the church seriously—but not himself.

For secular Washington, Benedict was the pope of no. For those who listened, Benedict is more the pope of and, connecting charity and truth, faith and reason.

Who was the last pope to step down from his office? How many popes have resigned?

Had he made the wrong choice of schools His courses were demanding quot We have tremendous long and hard lessons to get through in both French and Algebra quot The discipline was dogged quot They give a man one of these black marks for almost nothing If he gets two hundred a year they dismis

Visit this page for America's latest news and commentary on Pope Benedict XVI's resignation and the papal transition. (Last updated: March 14, 2013.)