Hannah Brockhaus

Hannah Brockhaus

Hannah Brockhaus is Catholic News Agency’s senior Vatican correspondent. After growing up in Omaha, Nebraska, she earned a degree in English from Truman State University in Missouri. In 2016, she moved to Rome, Italy, where in her spare time she enjoys reading and going on adventures with her husband and son.

Articles by Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis buried in beloved Marian basilica after coffin crosses Rome in popemobile

Apr 26, 2025 / 09:30 am

The pope’s burial site, at his request, is the Basilica of St. Mary Major, one of the four papal basilicas in Rome. He joins seven other popes buried there.

Pope Francis’ coffin closed in private ceremony in St. Peter’s Basilica

Apr 25, 2025 / 16:26 pm

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo, presided over the rite of the closing and sealing of the coffin.

Jesuit superior Father Sosa: Pope Francis did not seek popularity

Apr 24, 2025 / 17:28 pm

Father Arturo Sosa, SJ, superior general of the Society of Jesus, reflected on the first Jesuit pope in a press conference on Thursday,

Pope Francis moved to St. Peter’s Basilica for final goodbye

Apr 23, 2025 / 06:06 am

The rite began in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta, where Francis lived for the 12 years of his pontificate and where he was placed in a simple, zinc-lined coffin on April 21.

Vatican releases first photos of Pope Francis after his death

Apr 22, 2025 / 06:55 am

The photos show the pope dressed in red vestments and lying in a simple wooden coffin inside the chapel of the Santa Marta guesthouse.

Who is Cardinal Farrell, the camerlengo and a key figure in the papal transition?

Apr 21, 2025 / 17:28 pm

Cardinal Kevin Farrell is a key figure in the papal succession because of his appointment in 2019 as the camerlengo of the apostolic chamber.

Pope Francis’ death: Vatican holds first step in papal funeral rites

Apr 21, 2025 / 16:58 pm

Cardinal Kevin Farrell presided over the rite in the chapel of Pope Francis’ Vatican residence, the Casa Santa Marta, just a little over 12 hours after the pontiff’s death.

Vatican releases Pope Francis’ cause of death

Apr 21, 2025 / 14:53 pm

The Holy See on Monday evening released the death certificate detailing the cause of death of Pope Francis, who died in his Vatican apartment at 7:35 a.m. on April 21.

CNA explains: What happens to Pope Francis’ remains after death?

Apr 21, 2025 / 13:48 pm

In the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, the process is divided into three steps, called “stations.”

How the tradition of Dutch flowers at the pope’s Easter Mass was saved

Apr 20, 2025 / 06:00 am

Dutch flowers adorn St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday. Here’s how the 37-year tradition was saved in 2022.

Catholic-Orthodox families prepare with joy to celebrate shared Easter date

Apr 19, 2025 / 06:00 am

Two families of mixed Catholic and Orthodox Christian members are looking forward to celebrating Easter together on the same date in 2025. 

On Good Friday, Vatican preacher says authentic intelligence is found in self-giving love

Apr 18, 2025 / 13:29 pm

Father Roberto Pasolini, OFM Cap, in his homily emphasized the importance of self-gift over self-reliance and on surrender of one’s life and suffering to God.

Vice President JD Vance attends Vatican Good Friday service

Apr 18, 2025 / 12:05 pm

On his trip, Vance — who is a convert to Catholicism — will also be visiting cultural and religious sites and meet with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state.

Vatican says cardinals to celebrate Holy Week liturgies as Pope Francis’ health improves

Apr 15, 2025 / 10:38 am

It has not yet been decided who will celebrate the Easter Vigil Mass on Saturday evening and the Easter Sunday Mass, Holy See spokesperson Matteo Bruni said Tuesday.

In Holy Land on Palm Sunday, cardinal calls Christians to ‘hope against all hope’

Apr 14, 2025 / 11:49 am

On Palm Sunday, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, called on Christians in the Holy Land to “hope against all hope” during a difficult time.

Bishop Shawn McKnight tapped to follow Naumann as archbishop of Kansas City, Kansas

Apr 8, 2025 / 10:10 am

Archbishop Joseph Naumann is retiring after turning 75 in June 2024 and after 20 years at the helm of the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas.

From washing feet to a place to sleep: How Rome is welcoming jubilee pilgrims

Apr 4, 2025 / 10:39 am

Washing feet, with its deep spiritual symbolism, is one of several ways Catholics in Rome are welcoming the many pilgrims taking part in the Jubilee of Hope in 2025. 

After Lourdes’ decision on Rupnik art, Fátima shrine not planning to remove mosaics

Apr 2, 2025 / 10:52 am

The Fátima shrine in Portugal will not be taking down its Rupnik mosaic installation but has stopped using the image in any distributed materials.

Pope John Paul II 20 years later: ‘He lives in hearts’

Apr 2, 2025 / 04:00 am

“Very early on, we, not only me, had the impression that we were dealing with a saint,” said a longtime employee of Vatican News who covered John Paul II’s papacy.

Pope Francis says he has experienced ‘Christian joy’ amid ongoing illness, recovery

Apr 1, 2025 / 09:44 am

In an April 1 update about the 88-year-old pontiff’s continued recovery, the Holy See Press Office said Pope Francis’ condition continues to improve.