Cindy Wooden

Mystery mission: Details murky on Pope Francis' push for peace in Ukraine

May 4, 2023

When Pope Francis told reporters the Vatican had some kind of "mission" underway to promote an end to the war in Ukraine, journalists naturally were intrigued.

After praying for peace in Ukraine, Pope Francis greets Russian Orthodox official

May 3, 2023

Shortly after urging people to pray the rosary for peace and entrusting the people of Ukraine to Mary's care, Pope Francis met briefly with Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, director of external relations for the Russian Orthodox Church.

Pope Francis on plane talks about Ukraine, returning artifacts to Canada

May 1, 2023

The Holy See has a project underway related to peace between Russia and Ukraine, but Pope Francis told reporters he could not talk about it yet.

Pope Francis arrives in Hungary preaching cooperation, welcome

April 28, 2023

Paying homage to Hungary's history, culture and location in the heart of Europe, Pope Francis pushed against the notion that the country needed to insulate itself to protect its identity.

Pope Francis meets Ukrainian prime minister at Vatican

April 27, 2023

After a half-hour private meeting in the library of the Apostolic Palace, Pope Francis gave the prime minister of Ukraine a bronze plaque featuring a bird and a flower alongside the inscription, "Peace is a fragile flower."

Pope Francis decides women will be voting members of Synod of Bishops

April 26, 2023

At least three dozen women will be voting members of the assembly of the Synod of Bishops in October, Pope Francis has decided.

Archbishop clarifies remarks on assisted suicide in Italy

April 24, 2023

The president of the Pontifical Academy for Life affirms his opposition to euthanasia and assisted suicide but believes that to end confusion in the country, the Italian Parliament needs to make clear laws about withdrawing end-of-life care, his office said.

Suffering is a reality to explore, not ignore, Pope Francis says

April 20, 2023

Suffering and death are human realities that raise questions people need to ask themselves, Pope Francis said.

Vatican sends relic of true cross to Britain's King Charles

April 20, 2023

As Britain's King Charles III walks into Westminster Abbey for his coronation, he will walk behind a processional cross containing a relic of Christ's cross given to the king by Pope Francis.

Pope Francis prays that Easter joy would break through gloom of sin, war, strife

April 11, 2023

On a bright spring morning, Pope Francis prayed that Christians would experience the joy of Easter and allow Christ's resurrection to be "the light that illumines the darkness and the gloom in which, all too often, our world finds itself enveloped."