Articles by AC Wimmer
Vatican sets funeral for Cardinal Amato as Pope Francis praises ‘faithful servant’
Jan 1, 2025 / 08:33 amPope Francis praised the late cardinal’s “priestly spirit” and theological preparation, highlighting his decades of service.
In New Year’s Angelus, pope ties debt forgiveness to peace
Jan 1, 2025 / 07:30 amIn his first Angelus address of 2025, Pope Francis called for debt relief for the world’s poorest nations and renewed his appeals for peace.
Pope Francis preaches peace, protection of life in New Year’s homily
Jan 1, 2025 / 06:35 am“Protecting life, caring for wounded life, restoring dignity to the life of every ‘born of woman’ is the fundamental basis for building a civilization of peace,” Francis said.
Pope Francis remembers Jimmy Carter’s ‘firm commitment’ to peace, reconciliation
Dec 30, 2024 / 10:25 amThe former president died on Dec. 29 at age 100 after entering hospice care in February 2023.
13 Catholic missionaries and pastoral workers reportedly killed worldwide in 2024
Dec 30, 2024 / 05:00 amThe Vatican’s missionary agency documented that five pastoral workers were killed in Africa, five in America, and two priests died in violent attacks in Europe.
Lateran Holy Door opens as Rome’s jubilee journey continues
Dec 29, 2024 / 09:00 amCardinal Baldassare Reina, Pope Francis’ vicar for the Diocese of Rome, described the event as “a gesture that renews our profession of faith in Christ.”
Pope Francis: Family dialogue defeats digital distraction
Dec 29, 2024 / 08:00 am“Never, never this,” Francis said about mobile phones at the family table. “Talk, listen to each other, this is the dialogue that is good for you and that makes you grow!”
Pope Francis prays for South Korea air crash victims and families
Dec 29, 2024 / 07:45 am“My thoughts go to the many families in South Korea who are mourning today following the dramatic air accident,” the pope said.
Pope Francis’ 2024 travels: historic visits to Southeast Asia, Oceania, Belgium, and Corsica
Dec 28, 2024 / 10:00 amDespite health challenges, Pope Francis embarked on ambitious travels in 2024, visiting Southeast Asia and Oceania, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Corsica.
Pope Francis: How to be ‘pilgrims of hope’ during 2025 Jubilee Year
Dec 28, 2024 / 09:00 amPope Francis called on Catholics to become “pilgrims of hope” in a BBC podcast, emphasizing that “hope and kindness touch the very heart of the Gospel.”
Will Pope Francis visit Ukraine in 2025?
Dec 27, 2024 / 11:25 amMajor Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, said “Pope Francis sometimes likes to make surprises.”
Pope Francis prays for victims as death toll in German Christmas market attack reaches 5
Dec 21, 2024 / 15:34 pmPope Francis expressed shock and offered prayers after a deadly attack at a Christmas market in Germany killed five people, including a child.
Pope Francis warns against gossip, celebrates family life in Vatican Christmas messages
Dec 21, 2024 / 10:30 amPope Francis delivered Christmas messages at the Vatican, warning against gossip, while the Holy See announced he is experiencing cold symptoms.
German bishops respond to deadly Magdeburg market attack, call for prayer and peace
Dec 21, 2024 / 07:30 amGerman bishops expressed horror after a car attack at Magdeburg Christmas market left five dead and more than 200 injured.
Church in Germany pushes toward a national synodal body
Dec 17, 2024 / 11:40 amAt a meeting Dec. 13–14 in Wiesbaden, delegates discussed drafting the composition of a body that initially was proposed to be a synodal council.
Pope Francis calls on Vatican Christmas concert artists to promote peace, reconciliation
Dec 14, 2024 / 09:00 amThe pope emphasized the unique power of music to foster unity and communion, drawing parallels to the first Christmas.
Pope Francis meets Palestinian leader Abbas amid Gaza crisis
Dec 12, 2024 / 11:55 amDuring the “cordial talks,” both parties “reiterated the condemnation of all forms of terrorism” while emphasizing the importance of protecting Jerusalem’s special status.
PHOTOS: Pope Francis marks Immaculate Conception in Rome with prayer, surprise art visit
Dec 8, 2024 / 15:33 pmPope Francis marked the Immaculate Conception by visiting to two of Rome’s most important Marian sites, followed by an unexpected stop.
World leaders must broker Christmas peace, Pope Francis urges during Angelus
Dec 8, 2024 / 08:30 amThe pope also encouraged everyone to “open our hearts and minds to the Lord Jesus, born of Mary Immaculate” as the Church prepares for Jubilee 2025.
Pope Francis links Mary’s humility to modern church at Mass with new cardinals
Dec 8, 2024 / 06:56 amPope Francis celebrated the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception with the news cardinals in St. Peter's Basilica, calling Christians to imitate Mary.