Many in Chile opposed Francis’ appointment of Msgr. Barros as bishop because he is known to have belonged to the inner circle of a priest accused of abuse.
Gerard O’Connell
Gerard O’Connell is America’s senior Vatican correspondent and author of The Election of Pope Francis: An Inside Story of the Conclave That Changed History. He has been covering the Vatican since 1985.
Posted inFaith, News
Pope Francis blesses the marriage of two flight attendants aboard the papal plane
The couple said, “I do” Thursday morning after telling Francis that they had been married in a civil service in 2010.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
In the land of the Mapuche, Pope Francis calls on indigenous peoples to say ‘no’ to violence
Pope Francis appealed to the Mapuche, who have suffered “great injustices,” to totally reject violence “which can make a just cause turn into a lie.”
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis urges a transfigured church in Chile as harm from abuse crisis persists
Francis focused for the second time today during his visit to Chile on the abuse scandal that has rocked the Chilean church. “I know the pain resulting from cases of abuse of minors, and I am attentive to what you are doing to respond to this great and painful evil,” he said.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis asks forgiveness for “irreparable damage” caused by clergy sex abuse in Chile
“It is right to ask for forgiveness,” the pope said, “and make every effort to support the victims.”
Posted inPolitics & Society, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis: “I am truly afraid” of nuclear war.
“We are at the limit,” the pope said on the flight from Rome to Chile. “An accident is sufficient.”
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
‘I hope Chileans will listen,’ says former colleague as Pope Francis begins Latin American visit
The issues that most concern the Chileans coincide with many of the messages of the pope, for example, the problem of the indigenous community, the problems of migrant people, care for the environment.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis is heading to Chile and Peru. Here’s what to look for.
Pope Francis will set out on his 22nd foreign trip on Jan. 15.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
As a criminal prosecution looms, the Vatican takes control of Catholic movement in Peru
The Vatican said Francis had followed the saga of the Sodalitium of Christian Life for years and was “particularly concerned about the seriousness of information about the internal regime, the training and financial management.”
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis: Reform of the Roman Curia is harmed by the conspiracies of minority
Pope Francis has long recognized that the reform of the Roman Curia, which he began in 2013, is a difficult task.