Readers respond to the election of a new pope and ponder its effects on American politics. Also: Presidential profits.

Preaching about the supernatural and the digital.

There was much more to David Souter — and the kind of moderate he was — than is often presented in accounts of his time on the court.

The House minority leader would much rather talk about Medicaid and taxes than looming autocracy.

For decades, Sally Quinn has brought people together in Washington. But under Trump, the free flow of ideas has been replaced by fear.

A weaponized tax code could backfire on conservatives.

The infamous TV talk show host had a political career and grand ambitions. The very qualities that held him back are ones that Democrats need to embrace.

The future for Penn Station’s commuters and neighbors hinges not on aesthetics but on a wonky idea called through-running.

America’s commitment to helping stabilize the Horn of Africa might have been taken for granted a few months ago. Not anymore.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is behaving in ways that threaten U.S. interests in the region.

The conservative ire that roiled Catholicism during the previous pontificate is likely to continue with this first American pope.

Cardinal Prevost defied the odds. A number of factors point to why.

Readers discuss ways to counter President Trump. Also: An unyielding Harvard; a Supreme Court ruling on transgender troops; the Zen of A.I.

Americans skimp while their president splurges.

The lessons from World War II are critical for understanding how to restore and maintain long-term peace and security in Europe today.

Senator Chris Murphy argues voters want to know who’s screwing them.

There are no shortcuts in war.

A blueprint for revitalizing the opposition.

And how exactly can we tell whether America has crossed the line?

Senator Chris Murphy on the Democrats’ “five alarm” crisis.

The academy has changed.

A call for showing courage against tyrants.

The charitable tax deduction is distorting American philanthropy.

The French radical believes that France has something to teach the world.

The plan to eliminate the endowments for the arts and the humanities. Also: A threat to impose tariffs on movies made abroad.

At times, the skirmishes between India and Pakistan can seem more like reality TV spectacle, but these strikes are worryingly different.

These Republican women use the vernacular of influencers to spread their message. It’s working, for now.

Republican women know what they’re doing.

A discussion about Pope Francis’ pontificate and who will be elected the next pope.