Hannah Brockhaus

Hannah Brockhaus

Hannah Brockhaus is Catholic News Agency's senior Rome correspondent. She grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, and has a degree in English from Truman State University in Missouri.

Articles by Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis meets with Colombian leaders in wake of peace deal

Dec 16, 2016 / 11:45 am

Pope Francis met Friday morning with Colombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos Calderón and former president Senator Álvaro Uribe Vélez, as the country works to finalize a peace accord which would end a 52-year conflict between the government and rebel groups.

New Biloxi bishop humbled, joyed by his appointment

Dec 16, 2016 / 06:02 am

On Friday the Vatican announced that Pope Francis accepted the retirement of Bishop Roger Morin of Biloxi, and appointed Louisiana native Msgr. Louis Kihneman as his successor.

Mary models for the sick 'surrender to God's will'

Dec 15, 2016 / 10:04 am

Pope Francis on Thursday announced the theme for the 25th World Day of the Sick, “Amazement at what God has accomplished,” explaining that in difficult circumstances we should look to Mary as an example of how to embrace God’s will for our lives.

Pope to ambassadors: make 'courageous' choice for nonviolence

Dec 15, 2016 / 05:17 am

On Thursday Pope Francis accepted the credentials of six new ambassadors to the Holy See, urging them to work toward promoting the common good in their respective countries by adopting tactics of nonviolence at a political level.

Pope: the world desperately needs hope – and we are the messengers

Dec 14, 2016 / 04:54 am

Pope Francis Wednesday spoke about the hope that the Child Jesus brings at Christmastime, saying it is our duty to be the messengers who bring his message to the world – a world that is thirsting for goodness.

In stressing error of clericalism, Francis calls for humble priests

Dec 13, 2016 / 16:50 pm

In his homily at Mass Tuesday, Pope Francis spoke harshly about what he considers one of the great dangers of clericalism: that it alienates members of the Church by refusing to be close to them, and reinforces the belief that priests are above the laity.

Pope Francis sends condolences on death of Opus Dei leader

Dec 13, 2016 / 09:42 am

On hearing of the Dec. 12 death of Bishop Javier Echevarría Rodríguez, the Prelate of Opus Dei, Pope Francis sent a telegram Tuesday expressing his deep sympathy to the members of the organization and to Msgr. Fernando Ocáriz Braña, auxiliary vicar.

Juneau bishop to head Dallas diocese

Dec 13, 2016 / 08:02 am

After what was a very short vacancy for the Diocese of Dallas, the Vatican announced Tuesday that Bishop Edward J. Burns of Juneau will now take the reigns.

Traveling display notes struggle, hope of displaced Ukrainians

Dec 13, 2016 / 00:02 am

A traveling exhibit currently set up in Rome’s St. Silvester Square highlights the difficulties – as well as the strength, resilience, and hope – of Ukrainians who have had to flee their homes due to ongoing conflict in the country’s eastern regions.

Pope Francis prays for Aleppo, victims of recent terrorist attacks

Dec 11, 2016 / 07:08 am

During the Angelus for the third Sunday of Advent, also called Gaudete Sunday, Pope Francis made a special appeal for prayers for the people of Aleppo and Syria, and for all those affected by the recent terrorist attacks which have taken place in places such as Turkey and Egypt.

Pope to seminarians: Don't let self-interest get in the way of ministry

Dec 10, 2016 / 11:31 am

On Saturday Pope Francis spoke to seminarians about the three-fold ministry of the priest: welcoming and including all, forming good relationships with God and others, and avoiding the pitfall of narcissism.

As Vatican lights Christmas tree, Pope reflects on Nativity scene

Dec 9, 2016 / 11:21 am

As Christmas approaches, the Nativity scenes found in churches and homes around the world bid us to make room for Jesus both in our lives and in society, Pope Francis said shortly before the lighting of the Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square Friday.

Pope Francis: Through beauty, artists make the world better

Dec 7, 2016 / 14:36 pm

Beauty, under the care of artists, has the ability to transform even the everyday lives of men and women, Pope Francis said in a message for the annual meeting of the Pontifical Academies on Tuesday.

Women at the Vatican form association for solidarity

Dec 7, 2016 / 14:06 pm

A new association for women working in the Vatican announced Wednesday provides a personal and professional network for women to offer support to each other and to the community.

Vatican calls for trust, responsibility on nuclear technology

Dec 6, 2016 / 12:26 pm

In order to realize the goal of a world free of nuclear weapons the discourse of the international community surrounding nuclear security must be based on an ethic of trust, responsibility, and cooperation – not fear and suspicion, Vatican official Msgr. Antoine Camilleri said Tuesday.

Vatican's anti-abuse commission launches new website

Dec 6, 2016 / 06:16 am

The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors launched a new website Tuesday, which is designed to help inform the public about their work, and includes resources for Church leaders on safeguarding children and caring for survivors.

Pope Francis: Don't whitewash your sins – let God heal you

Dec 5, 2016 / 10:22 am

As Christmas approaches, don't downplay your sins, Pope Francis said. Instead, name them honestly in the Sacrament of Confession, open your heart, and ask the Lord to heal you from within.

Two parish priests chosen as next auxiliary bishops of Baltimore

Dec 5, 2016 / 07:00 am

Upon accepting the resignation of Bishop Denis Madden, Pope Francis has appointed two priests to be the next auxiliary bishops of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, the Vatican announced Monday.

In new interview, Pope reflects on close of Jubilee

Nov 18, 2016 / 06:08 am

In a lengthy new interview, Pope Francis opened up about his thoughts on the Jubilee of Mercy as well as progress made in the field of ecumenism, both of which he said have roots in the Second Vatican Council.

There is no justification for killing innocent people, Pope says

Nov 17, 2016 / 08:37 am

In a meeting with the Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East Thursday, Pope Francis criticized ongoing violence in Iraq and Syria, saying no motive can justify or allow the killing of innocent people, especially children.