Vietnam’s Catholic bishops and community have long wanted the pope to come, and Francis has throughout his pontificate given special attention to Asia.
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, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis says he will not be buried at the Vatican, simplifies papal funeral rite
Francis, who will celebrate his 87th birthday on Dec. 17, spoke freely about his health, the possibility of resignation and whether he is losing patience with detractors.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis: ‘The commitment to human rights is never ended.’
Marking the 75th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Pope Francis called for peace in Gaza and respect for human rights.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis, fighting bronchitis, appeals for ‘a new ceasefire’ in the Israel-Hamas war
Speaking by live television from Santa Marta, the 86-year-old pope, who clearly has not yet fully recovered from a week-long bout of acute bronchitis, issued his heartfelt appeal for “a new ceasefire agreement.”
Posted inPolitics & Society, Vatican Dispatch
On doctor’s orders, Pope Francis cancels trip to Dubai for climate conference
On the advice of his doctors, Pope Francis has “with great regret” canceled his visit to Dubai for the COP28 conference on climate change, the Vatican announced on Tuesday evening, Nov. 28.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Vatican Dispatch
Cardinal Czerny: What Pope Francis hopes to achieve by addressing the COP28 climate conference in Dubai
In an exclusive interview with Gerard O’Connell, Jesuit Cardinal Michael Czerny explains why Pope Francis will address the UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai and what he hopes to achieve.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis has ‘inflammation of the lungs,’ but hopes to travel to Dubai
Pope Francis did not read the catechesis as he usually does on Sunday, but only recited the Angelus prayer, imparted the blessing and asked people to pray for him.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Peru’s Cardinal Barreto on what the Amazon synod and Latin America can teach the entire church
In an exclusive interview with Gerard O’Connell, Cardinal Pedro Barreto rejoiced when the Synod on Synodality recognized the Ecclesial Conference of the Amazon as “an example of synodality.”
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Australia’s Archbishop Costelloe: Cardinal Newman’s ‘development of doctrine’ is key to understanding the synod
“Newman’s theology of the development of doctrine enables us to be grounded in our tradition and open to ways in which we can grow in our understanding of it,” Archbishop Costelloe tells Gerard O’Connell. “That’s a key to this whole process.”
Posted inPolitics & Society, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis issues new plea for end to Israel-Hamas war
Pope Francis calls for an end to the Israel-Hamas war. Israel has continued a constant bombing of Gaza since the conflict started on Oct. 7 in retaliation for the attack by Hamas in southern Israel.