He prayed for people across the globe, and especially for the people of Aleppo.
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 inDispatches, Faith
One day after Christmas, Pope Francis focuses on contemporary Christian martyrs
“There are more martyrs in the world today than in the early centuries of Christianity,” Francis told thousands of pilgrims.
Posted inDispatches, Faith
Pope Francis surprises Vatican officials with frank talk of Roman Curia reform
The pope zoned in forcefully on a central aspect of the life of the Roman Curia, the papal civil service.
Posted inDispatches, Faith
The Vatican is looking for ‘positive signals’ from Beijing to gain trust of Chinese Catholics
The Holy See declared that it is closely monitoring what is happening to the church in China and asked for “positive signals” from Beijing.
Posted inDispatches, Faith
Pope Francis has freed the priest convicted in Vatileaks scandal from prison
The Spanish monsignor was condemned to 18 months in prison for his role in the leaking of Vatican financial documents.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis’ schedule is even more ambitious in 2017.
Francis said that at his stage of life one has to move even faster.
Posted inDispatches, Faith
Pope Francis celebrates 80th birthday with the homeless
Pope Francis celebrates his 80th birthday with the homeless and reflects on the wisdom of getting older.
Posted inDispatches
Pope Francis brought together political rivals to shore up the Colombian peace deal
This was only the second time in six years that President Santos and ex-President Uribe have met.
Posted inDispatches
Pope Francis appoints Jesuit and Scalabrini priests to new Vatican department for refugees.
Francis has opted for men with broad experience and deep commitment in the social-justice field.
Posted inDispatches, Faith
Pope Francis on feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe: ‘Yes to life, no to exclusion’
In his homily for the feast, Pope Francis denounced the exclusion of so many people “from the train of life.”