In the D.R.C., Pope Francis has shown his advanced age and physical mobility problems have not limited his extraordinary capacity to console the afflicted, call evildoers to conversion and sustain the faithful in hope.
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 inPolitics & Society, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis preaches peace to one million Congolese people at Zaire rite Mass
Pope Francis told the million Congolese gathered before him that Jesus has shown “three sources” from which “to nurture peace”: “forgiveness, community and mission.”
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Pope Francis tells foreign exploiters in Congo: ‘Hands off Africa!’
”Hands off Africa!” Pope Francis said on the first day of his visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. “Stop choking Africa: It is not a mine to be stripped or a terrain to be plundered.”
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis taps Chicago-born bishop to lead Vatican department that evaluates new bishops
The decision comes at a time when Cardinal Ouellet is pursuing a defamation case against a Canadian woman church worker, who had accused him of unwanted sexual touching.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
What to expect during Pope Francis’ visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan
Pope Francis will make his fourth journey to Africa on January 31. Hopes are high that Francis’ visit may kick-start the struggling peace processes in both countries.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis makes urgent appeal for peace in Holy Land
He called for dialogue “immediately and without delay.”
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Biographer reveals the reason for Pope Benedict’s resignation: insomnia
Pope Benedict’s German biographer, Peter Seewald, confirmed that nine weeks before he died, Benedict revealed that insomnia was the “central motive” for his resignation.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis wishes “peace and every good” to all those celebrating the Lunar New Year
“On this joyful occasion,” Pope Francis said he also wished to express his “spiritual closeness to all those who are going through moments of trial caused by the coronavirus pandemic.”
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Explainer: Cardinal Pell’s complicated (and critical) relationship with Pope Francis
Cardinal George Pell, who died on Jan. 10, left behind an article and a memorandum that revealed his thoughts about Pope Francis, his actions, and future conclaves, among many others.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Australia’s Cardinal Pell dies suddenly at 81
A leading Australian Catholic and close advisor to Pope Francis, the cardinal had participated in the funeral of his friend, Pope Benedict XVI, just last week.