Articles by Alan Holdren
'The family has fundamental value' - an interview with Polish President Andrzej Duda
Sep 27, 2020 / 05:53 amOn Sept. 25, EWTN News spoke with Poland's President Andrzej Duda, who met with Pope Francis during a visit to Rome.
International pilgrims scarce as pandemic subsides in Italy
Aug 17, 2020 / 13:00 pmAs life returns to normal in Italy, Catholic pilgrimage destinations are celebrating feasts publicly again. But, there’s one thing glaringly missing: international pilgrims.
The story of a Holocaust survivor who encountered Pope Francis
Jul 29, 2016 / 16:02 pmA survivor of the Auschwitz concentration camp welcomed Pope Francis’ Friday visit and asked the world to remember the suffering that took place there.
Here are the faces of the nuns who were martyred in Yemen
Mar 8, 2016 / 13:27 pmSister Anslem, Sister Reginette, Sister Judith, Sister Marguerite, and were serving as caretakers at the Missionaries of Charity's convent and nursing home in Aden, Yemen.
There's no question – the Missionaries of Charity in Yemen 'died as martyrs'
Mar 6, 2016 / 11:03 amAfter a recent attack at a Missionaries of Charity convent in Yemen claimed the lives of four of the sisters there, the bishop overseeing the area said he has no doubt they died as martyrs.
UPDATED: If Trump only builds walls he's not Christian, Pope Francis says
Feb 18, 2016 / 10:00 amDuring his inflight news conference en route from Juarez to Rome, Pope Francis responded to recent criticism from Republican U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump, who called the Pope “political” and has threatened to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexican border.
Pope deeply moved by plight of Vatican-housed refugee family
Sep 19, 2015 / 15:56 pmAs he began his 10-day trip to Cuba and the United States, Pope Francis was seen off by a Syrian refugee family the Vatican is now housing through one of its parishes. The Pope described himself shortly after as “very moved.”
What did he just say? Pope Francis off-the-cuff in Latin America
Jul 5, 2015 / 16:05 pmThe world is about to see a new side to Pope Francis and, interestingly, it could be the most intimate look yet at who he really is.
For Archbishop Chaput, Vatican synod, Philly family meeting providentially linked
Jun 25, 2015 / 14:31 pmArchbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia sees a providential link between September’s World Meeting of Families and October’s Synod on the Family. As a participant in both, he says the fresh experience from Philadelphia will be on his mind as he enters the Vatican Synod hall mere weeks later.
Benedict XVI's summer plans – rare public events and a visit to Castel Gandolfo
Jun 16, 2015 / 10:07 amBenedict XVI’s summer is set to be the most active since he stepped down from the pontificate in 2013, with plans for participation in at least two public events and a two-week stay at the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo.
Pope talks Medjugorje, coming encyclical on return from Bosnia
Jun 6, 2015 / 14:42 pmOn his return flight from Sarajevo to Rome Pope Francis told journalists a final decision on the highly debated Mejugorje apparitions could be close, and disclosed the “cancer” of consumerism as a theme in his coming encyclical on human ecology.
'I find God in suffering': The gripping life and death of Kayla Mueller
May 1, 2015 / 03:02 amKayla Mueller, the young human rights activist who was killed earlier this year while being held hostage by ISIS, was a woman of faith with a heart full of compassion toward those who suffered, her parents say. Now, they intend to carry on her legacy of service to others.
Beauty will save the world – Gaudi's basilica inspires conversions
Apr 30, 2015 / 03:02 amThough the renowned Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi died nearly 90 years ago and his best-known work remains under construction, the beauty of the Sagrada Familia basilica continues to draw people to Christ.
After vision of Christ, Nigerian bishop says rosary will bring down Boko Haram
Apr 21, 2015 / 01:44 amA Nigerian bishop says that he has seen Christ in a vision and now knows that the rosary is the key to ridding the country of the Islamist terrorist organization Boko Haram.
Francis likely to bring up poverty in his expected UN visit in New York
Jan 21, 2015 / 17:18 pmAccording to the Vatican's Observer to the United Nations, Pope Francis is likely to address the issue of poverty before the international body, a speech that is anticipated in the proposed schedule for his upcoming US trip.
Full text of Pope's in-flight interview from Manila to Rome
Jan 19, 2015 / 15:20 pmSpeaking to journalists aboard the Jan. 19 flight from Manila to Rome concluding his Asian pilgrimage, Pope Francis discussed what he learned from Filipinos; his upcoming trip to Philadelphia and other US cities; how one can be a responsible parent without resorting to birth control; the colonization of gender ideology; and the possibility of a papal trip to Africa.
Kids in poor countries suffer when West pushes sex agenda, Pope says
Jan 19, 2015 / 12:43 pmPope Francis cautioned on Monday that gender ideologies from the wealthy western world are being imposed on developing nations by tying them to foreign aid and education, in a form of "ideological colonization."
Pope: 'Responsible parenthood' doesn't mean birth control
Jan 19, 2015 / 12:15 pmPope Francis backed Blessed Paul VI's teaching against birth control and urged openness to life, but reminded couples that “responsible parenthood” does not require them “to be like rabbits” in order to be good Catholics.
Africa, South America trips in Pope's sights for next two years
Jan 19, 2015 / 12:10 pmPope Francis has revealed that he hopes to make extensive voyages to Africa and Latin America in the next two years.
Pope confirms three US stops in September, no Mexico for now
Jan 19, 2015 / 12:01 pmDuring his in-flight press conference from Manila to Rome, Pope Francis confirmed he plans stops in Philadelphia, New York City and Washington D.C. during his visit to the United States this autumn.