Articles by AC Wimmer
Pope Francis prays for South Korea air crash victims and families
Dec 29, 2024 / 07:45 am“My thoughts go to the many families in South Korea who are mourning today following the dramatic air accident,” the pope said.
Pope Francis’ 2024 travels: historic visits to Southeast Asia, Oceania, Belgium, and Corsica
Dec 28, 2024 / 10:00 amDespite health challenges, Pope Francis embarked on ambitious travels in 2024, visiting Southeast Asia and Oceania, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Corsica.
Pope Francis: How to be ‘pilgrims of hope’ during 2025 Jubilee Year
Dec 28, 2024 / 09:00 amPope Francis called on Catholics to become “pilgrims of hope” in a BBC podcast, emphasizing that “hope and kindness touch the very heart of the Gospel.”
Will Pope Francis visit Ukraine in 2025?
Dec 27, 2024 / 11:25 amMajor Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, said “Pope Francis sometimes likes to make surprises.”
Pope Francis prays for victims as death toll in German Christmas market attack reaches 5
Dec 21, 2024 / 15:34 pmPope Francis expressed shock and offered prayers after a deadly attack at a Christmas market in Germany killed five people, including a child.
Pope Francis warns against gossip, celebrates family life in Vatican Christmas messages
Dec 21, 2024 / 10:30 amPope Francis delivered Christmas messages at the Vatican, warning against gossip, while the Holy See announced he is experiencing cold symptoms.
German bishops respond to deadly Magdeburg market attack, call for prayer and peace
Dec 21, 2024 / 07:30 amGerman bishops expressed horror after a car attack at Magdeburg Christmas market left five dead and more than 200 injured.
Church in Germany pushes toward a national synodal body
Dec 17, 2024 / 11:40 amAt a meeting Dec. 13–14 in Wiesbaden, delegates discussed drafting the composition of a body that initially was proposed to be a synodal council.
Pope Francis calls on Vatican Christmas concert artists to promote peace, reconciliation
Dec 14, 2024 / 09:00 amThe pope emphasized the unique power of music to foster unity and communion, drawing parallels to the first Christmas.
Pope Francis meets Palestinian leader Abbas amid Gaza crisis
Dec 12, 2024 / 11:55 amDuring the “cordial talks,” both parties “reiterated the condemnation of all forms of terrorism” while emphasizing the importance of protecting Jerusalem’s special status.
PHOTOS: Pope Francis marks Immaculate Conception in Rome with prayer, surprise art visit
Dec 8, 2024 / 15:33 pmPope Francis marked the Immaculate Conception by visiting to two of Rome’s most important Marian sites, followed by an unexpected stop.
World leaders must broker Christmas peace, Pope Francis urges during Angelus
Dec 8, 2024 / 08:30 amThe pope also encouraged everyone to “open our hearts and minds to the Lord Jesus, born of Mary Immaculate” as the Church prepares for Jubilee 2025.
Pope Francis links Mary’s humility to modern church at Mass with new cardinals
Dec 8, 2024 / 06:56 amPope Francis celebrated the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception with the news cardinals in St. Peter's Basilica, calling Christians to imitate Mary.
Pope Francis: Notre Dame reopening shows ‘sadness and mourning give way to joy’
Dec 7, 2024 / 15:39 pm“Today, sadness and mourning give way to joy, celebration, and praise,” the Holy Father wrote in his message to Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris.
Pope Francis creates 21 new cardinals, including archbishops of Tehran and Toronto
Dec 7, 2024 / 12:09 pmThe pope highlighted that the term “cardinal” symbolizes a “hinge,” emphasizing their vital role as in holding the Church together.
New cardinals emphasize Church unity, evangelization ahead of consistory
Dec 6, 2024 / 15:45 pm“I am with my heart, and I would say with my whole body, for a synodal vision,” Archbishop Ignace Bessi Dogbo of Abidjan said.
‘Raise your heads,’ Pope Francis tells faithful in first Advent message amid multiple conflicts
Dec 1, 2024 / 08:25 amPope Francis on Sunday addressed cosmic upheavals, modern anxieties, and current conflicts while emphasizing hope and spiritual vigilance.
A path toward unity: Pope Francis proposes joint Catholic-Orthodox celebration of Nicaea anniversary
Nov 30, 2024 / 08:10 amThe letter was delivered by Cardinal Kurt Koch during his visit to Istanbul for the patronal feast of the Orthodox Church.
U.S. Secretary Blinken meets Pope Francis: Vatican talks address Middle East and Ukraine
Nov 27, 2024 / 10:45 amThe State Department said discussions between Blinken and the pope focused on ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine amid a broader European diplomatic tour.
At general audience, Pope Francis pleads for Ukraine's children
Nov 27, 2024 / 09:45 am“Think of the Ukrainian children and young people who suffer at this time without heating in a very harsh winter,” the pope said on Nov. 27, addressing youngsters gathered around him in St. Peter’s Square.