Cindy Wooden

Ukrainians are afraid, but hope in the power of prayer, archbishop says

January 25, 2022

ROME -- Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of Kyiv-Halych, Ukraine, major archbishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, knows his people are frightened.

Pope Benedict corrects statement for Munich abuse report

January 24, 2022

VATICAN CITY -- Amending a written statement made to a panel investigating clerical sexual abuse in his former Archdiocese of Munich and Freising, retired Pope Benedict XVI said he was present at a 1980 meeting to discuss the transfer of a priest accused of misconduct.

Seeking God together will bring Christians closer to each other, Pope Francis says

January 18, 2022

VATICAN CITY -- When the goal of Christian unity seems far off, "let us remind ourselves that we are making this journey not as those who already possess God but as those who continue to seek him," Pope Francis told members of an ecumenical pilgrimage from Finland.

Pope Francis appeals for peace in Kazakhstan

January 10, 2022

VATICAN CITY -- With dozens of people reported dead and thousands detained in Kazakhstan, Pope Francis prayed for the victims and for a return of peace in the former Soviet republic.

On New Year's, Pope Francis says a mature faith is realistic, but hope-filled

January 3, 2022

VATICAN CITY -- As Catholics begin a new year contemplating the motherhood of Mary, they should be inspired not to let problems weaken their faith or prevent them from helping others grow, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis prays Christmas will bring yearning for peace, dialogue

December 25, 2021

VATICAN CITY -- Before giving his Christmas blessing to the city of Rome and to the world, Pope Francis drew attention to the many places around the globe and within human hearts in need of Jesus, the prince of peace.

Pope Francis names Cardinal Czerny interim head of dicastery

December 23, 2021

VATICAN CITY -- Thanking Cardinal Peter Turkson for his five years of service as prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, Pope Francis has decided to name new leadership for the office, said a Vatican communique.

At Lesbos refugee camp, Pope Francis urges attack on causes of migration, not those forced to flee

December 8, 2021

MYTILENE, Greece -- Standing in a tent on the shore, Pope Francis said the Mediterranean Sea, “the cradle of so many civilizations, now looks like a mirror of death.”

In early morning darkness, Pope Francis pays tribute to Immaculate Conception

December 8, 2021

ROME -- An hour before sunrise, Pope Francis set a basket of white roses at the base of a statue of the Immaculate Conception in the center of Rome, praying Mary would help all who suffer.

Pope Francis tells reporters Paris archbishop was hounded out by gossip

December 6, 2021

ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT TO ROME -- Pope Francis told reporters he accepted the resignation of Archbishop Michel Aupetit of Paris because the archbishop's reputation had been destroyed, making it impossible for him to continue leading the French archdiocese.