In the wake of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s death, the Vatican’s apostolic nunciature in Washington offered the public the opportunity to sign a book of condolences with memories, comments and prayers for the former pope Jan. 3 and 4.

The election for speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives bled into a third day when Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., failed to secure a majority of votes to win the office after six rounds of voting over two days Jan. 3 and 4.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration will allow retail pharmacies to offer abortion pills in the United States for the first time, the agency announced Jan. 3, prompting criticism from Catholic and pro-life groups.

Pope Benedict XVI was a renowned theologian, a “recognized authority,” who left “a rich legacy of studies and research on the fundamental truths of the faith,” said the official summary of his life and papacy.

Pope Benedict XVI “spread and testified to” the Gospel his entire life, Pope Francis told tens of thousands of people gathered Jan. 5 for his predecessor’s funeral Mass.

The theological writings and papal teaching of the late Pope Benedict XVI were and will continue to be a blessing to the Catholic Church, Pope Francis wrote.

Catholic immigration advocates are hailing the extension of Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, to war-torn Yemen, where more than 23 million face what the United Nations has called “the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.”

Pope Benedict XVI made substantial contributions to theology and Catholic thought through his prolific writing, academic lectures and long-form interviews, say scholars who study his work.

In a Q&A with OSV News, author Peter Seewald takes a look at the legacy of the German pope he studied and who, he said, “will be canonized some day.”

Pope Benedict XVI was a “great teacher of catechesis” whose “sharp and gentle thinking” led others to encounter Jesus, Pope Francis said.