The U.S. Food and Drug Administration will allow retail pharmacies to offer abortion pills in the United States for the first time, prompting criticism from Catholic and pro-life groups.

After four years of the far-right government of Jair Messias Bolsonaro, Brazilians peacefully welcomed—for the third time—the inauguration of the popular center-left leader Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on New Year’s Day.

Zen was elevated to cardinal by Benedict in 2006, which he said signaled the pope’s focus on China.

Though he is criticized for the sexual abuse crisis in the church during his papacy, Benedict XVI did more than anyone before him to turn the Vatican around on clergy sexual abuse.

Joseph Ratzinger’s life was one long heroic intellectual performance, engaging his whole heart.

Senior editor Robert David Sullivan charts America magazine’s year in review, month by month.