Cindy Wooden

Pope Francis asks pardon for sins that drove Catholic, Orthodox apart

December 6, 2021

ATHENS, Greece -- Like St. John Paul II before him, Pope Francis apologized to members of the Orthodox Church of Greece for the ways Catholics over the centuries had offended them, and he told Catholic leaders that they must embrace their minority status with humility.

Vatican announces Pope Francis will bring migrants from Cyprus to Italy

December 3, 2021

NICOSIA, Cyprus -- After Pope Francis denounced putting up "barbed wire" to keep out migrants and the practice of pushing boats back to countries where they face conditions similar to a "lager," the Vatican announced he would help move a dozen migrants from Cyprus to Italy before Christmas.

Meeting Cypriot leaders, Pope Francis urges dialogue for peace, care for migrants

December 2, 2021

NICOSIA, Cyprus -- Sympathizing with the Cypriot government and citizens feeling overwhelmed by an influx of migrants and refugees, Pope Francis urged them to remember their history as a crossroads and meeting place of people of different cultures and traditions.

Pope Francis sets up commission to monitor annulment reform in Italy

November 29, 2021

VATICAN CITY -- Concerned at the slow pace of adopting his reforms of the marriage annulment process, Pope Francis has established a Vatican commission to encourage and verify progress in the dioceses of Italy.

Migration in spotlight for Pope’s Greek trip

November 25, 2021

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis will draw the world’s attention to migration once again as he visits Cyprus and Greece in early December.

Pope Francis visits with poor in Assisi

November 12, 2021

ASSISI, Italy -- With a pilgrim's staff and mantle, Pope Francis entered Assisi's Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels with 500 economically or socially disadvantaged people and the volunteers who walk alongside them.

Pope Francis names religious sister secretary-general of Vatican City State governing office

November 5, 2021

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis has appointed Sister Raffaella Petrini, an Italian member of the U.S.-based Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, to be secretary-general of the office governing Vatican City State.

Biden attends Mass in Rome, tells reporters of his admiration for Pope Francis

November 1, 2021

ROME -- Pope Francis "is a man who has a great empathy. He's a man who understands that part of his Christianity is to reach out and forgive," U.S. President Joe Biden told reporters in Rome Oct. 31.

Sorrow must turn to action: Archbishop

October 13, 2021

VATICAN CITY -- Shame and sorrow are appropriate initial responses to the report on the extent of clerical sexual abuse in France, but the Catholic Church must move to action to protect children and to guarantee justice for victims and survivors, said Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna.

Pope Francis prays for victims of abuse in France

October 5, 2021

VATICAN CITY -- The Catholic Church's inability to make victims of abuse their top concern is a cause for intense shame, Pope Francis said.