2013 was an exciting year for Catholics

2013: The Year in Review As we prepare to flip the calendar to 2014, we reflect on the highs and lows of the year that has passed.    2013 was an exciting year for Catholics, as the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI sent shock waves through the church and the rise of Pope Francis to global fame and acclaim captivated people around the world. But there were many other happenings that didn't involve the pope, and U.S. Catholic had plenty of coverage, commentary, and analysis of the big stories of the year. Join us in looking back on the issues that dominated 2013. Read more. And whether you're new to U.S. Catholic or a long-time reader, you can always visit our online issue archive to see what we've featured in the magazine over the past year. From the role of women in the church to the spread of poverty to Catholic teaching on ghosts, we're sure you'll find something worth reading (or re-reading) from our 2013 issues.