VATICAN CITY — Benedict XVI always cast himself as the reluctant pope, a shy bookworm who preferred solitary walks in the Alps to the public glare and the majesty of Vatican pageantry. And on Monday, the Vatican announced that the leader of the world's billion Roman Catholics was stepping down — the first pontiff to do so since 1415.

Editor's Note: These letters to the editor have been sorted by topic by the Tribune editorial staff in an effort to allow readers to read varied opinions on the issues, candidates, and other circumstances surrounding the 2012 general election. These submissions are the opinions of the author, not the Tribune, and have not been edited for grammar or content.

Fired up about what, really?

The Democrats’ methods became quite visible at their convention. First, there was the Pelosi method: The delegates were supposed to pass the party platform before they read it to see what was in it.

BOSTON — With swing voters in his sights, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is tacking toward the center on health care and defense spending now that he's put his final partisan hurdle behind him and the sprint to Nov. 6 is underway.

“I read Mike McClellan’s commentary in Wednesday’s Trib. It sounds like Gilbert is becoming another Colorado City. Christians take heed.”

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — President Barack Obama inherited a wreck of an economy, "put a floor under the crash" and laid the foundation for millions of good new jobs, former President Bill Clinton declared Wednesday night in a rousing Democratic National Convention appeal aimed at millions of hard-pressed Americans yet to decide how to vote.

“To the Venter who is going to stop reading the EV Trib because of the outstanding letters from Rod Livdhal, good riddance. Go back to reading right wing propaganda.”

Temple Beth Sholom of the East Valley announces the appointment of Rabbi Kenneth Leitner as the congregation’s new rabbi.

Only a few of the thousands of kids in junior high and high school marching bands in Arizona are going to become professional musicians and odds are long on any becoming the next Louie Armstrong or Benny Goodman. But Cliff Bentley is living proof that the marching time and music study can pay off with something really rewarding.

NEW YORK (AP) — "If you can drive a car, you can drive this,' says Maya Valladares as I press the sewing machine pedal to the floor and complete my first stitch.

WASHINGTON - Here is a roundup of the most important cases the U.S. Supreme Court will consider during its term that begins Monday.

All Saints of Desert

All Saints of Desert

All Saints of Desert

All Saints of Desert

All Saints of Desert

All Saints of Desert

Aneesah Nadir confesses she was a “nervous wreck” when her daughter Zarinah and friends chose to go to school on Sept. 11, 2001, dressed as always in the hijab, the traditional apparel of observant Muslim females. She feared the terrorist attacks on the East Coast that morning made them targets for ugly remarks or harassment.

Aneesah Nadir confesses she was a “nervous wreck” when her daughter Zarinah and friends chose to go to school on Sept. 11, 2001, dressed as always in the hijab, the traditional apparel of observant Muslim females. She feared the terrorist attacks on the East Coast that morning made them targets for ugly remarks or harassment.

Aneesah Nadir confesses she was a “nervous wreck” when her daughter Zarinah and friends chose to go to school on Sept. 11, 2001, dressed as always in the hijab, the traditional apparel of observant Muslim females. She feared the terrorist attacks on the East Coast that morning made them targets for ugly remarks or harassment.

Colleen Jennings-Rogensack travels to New York several times a year to see every play and musical that opens on Broadway. Jennings-Rogensack, who is the executive director of Arizona State University’s Gammage Auditorium, then casts her ballot for the Tony Awards, theater’s highest honors. She is the sole Tony voter in Arizona, and Jennings-Rogensack keeps an eye on which productions would make good national tours.

The Tony Awards will be broadcast at 7 p.m. Sunday on KPHO CBS Channel 5. Jennings-Rogensack talked with Surprise Today about the contenders and her predictions.

Colleen Jennings-Rogensack travels to New York several times a year to see every play and musical that opens on Broadway. Jennings-Rogensack, who is the executive director of Arizona State University’s Gammage Auditorium, then casts her ballot for the Tony Awards, theater’s highest honors. She is the sole Tony voter in Arizona, and Jennings-Rogensack keeps an eye on which productions would make good national tours.

The Tony Awards will be broadcast at 7 p.m. Sunday on KPHO CBS Channel 5. Jennings-Rogensack talked with Surprise Today about the contenders and her predictions.