Pope John Paul II
![](https://religionandpolitics.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Cardinals.Getty-584-x-380-257x208.jpg)
Essay
Why We Wait for a Non-European Pope
As Pope Benedict steps down this week, speculation stirs that the next pontiff could be a man of color or from outside Europe. And while …
By Tiffany Stanley![](https://religionandpolitics.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Benedict.584-x-380-257x208.jpg)
Essay
A Brief History of Papal Resignations
The resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, announced for February 28, is an action virtually without precedent. No pope has resigned in modern times. No pope …
By Daniel Bornstein![](https://religionandpolitics.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/0816-Table-RomneyRyan4-257x208.jpg)
The Table
Ryan’s Catholic Problem? A Century of Papal Teachings
Congressman Paul Ryan’s economic views are at odds with more than 100 years of Catholic social teaching. It is no wonder that he’s had trouble …
By Michael Sean Winters![](https://religionandpolitics.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/0810-Stanley-MittRomneyPoland-257x208.jpg)
Editor’s Note
What War on Religion?
In July of 1844, word reached New York that Joseph Smith Jr., founder of the LDS Church, had been murdered by a mob in Illinois. …
By Tiffany Stanley