AC Wimmer

AC Wimmer

AC Wimmer is founding Editor-in-Chief of CNA Deutsch. The multilingual Australian, raised in Bavaria and South Africa, held senior roles at Australia's SBS and served as editor-in-chief of the historic Münchner Kirchenzeitung. A graduate in Philosophy and Chinese Studies from the University of Melbourne, Anian Christoph Wimmer — Chinese name 刘威猛 — sat on the jury of the Media Award of the German Bishops’ Conference, is a former Honorary Research Fellow in Communications at the University of Melbourne and served on the Board of Caritas in Munich.

Articles by AC Wimmer

Pope Francis, Syriac Patriarch call for prayers after devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria

Feb 6, 2023 / 09:23 am

The series of earthquakes — up to 7.8 magnitude — killed an estimated 1,700 people and injured thousands more, with many people still trapped under the rubble Monday.

German bishops’ president rebukes Pope Francis for criticism of Synodal Way 

Jan 30, 2023 / 11:45 am

Bishop Georg Bätzing says the Germans have “fundamentally different views of synodality” than Rome. 

Letter from Benedict XVI reveals the ‘central motive’ for his resignation, biographer says

Jan 29, 2023 / 07:15 am

Benedict XVI said he had suffered from chronic insomnia since the early days of his pontificate, according to a letter he wrote to his biographer.

Pope Francis decries German Synodal Way as ‘neither helpful nor serious’

Jan 25, 2023 / 15:41 pm

In an interview published Wednesday, Pope Francis decried the German Synodal Way as elitist and running the risk of bringing ideological harm to Church processes.

Pope Francis: ‘I had nothing to do’ with Father Marko Rupnik case

Jan 25, 2023 / 11:16 am

For the first time, Pope Francis has commented publicly about the scandal surrounding Jesuit artist Father Marko Rupnik.

‘I lost a dad’: Pope Francis speaks about losing Benedict XVI

Jan 25, 2023 / 08:50 am

In an interview with the AP, Pope Francis spoke about his relationship with his predecessor, Benedict XVI.

German bishop dismisses Vatican concerns over a permanent synodal council

Jan 23, 2023 / 15:45 pm

On Monday, Bishop Georg Bätzing said he welcomed a new letter from the Vatican detailing concerns about the push for a permanent synodal council.

Meet the ‘Benedict Bears’: Cuddly companions commemorate the late pope emeritus

Jan 20, 2023 / 09:15 am

A traditional toy manufacturer in the Bavarian town of Coburg has produced two limited editions of its iconic teddy bears in honor of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

In new book, the late Benedict XVI defends Christianity against claims of intolerance

Jan 19, 2023 / 08:40 am

In the book, the late pontiff warns of a “radical manipulation of human beings” and “the distortion of the sexes by gender ideology” in the name of tolerance.

Cardinal Schönborn calls Gänswein book ‘unseemly indiscretion,’ confirms key detail of Benedict papacy

Jan 18, 2023 / 08:00 am

Austrian Cardinal Christoph Schönborn on Wednesday confirmed he was the person who encouraged Joseph Ratzinger to accept the conclave’s decision.

Church in Australia reacts with ‘shock,’ sadness at news of Cardinal Pell’s death

Jan 10, 2023 / 18:17 pm

Cardinal George Pell, prefect emeritus of the Vatican Secretariat for the Economy, died Tuesday in Rome at the age of 81 from cardiac arrest.

Australian Cardinal George Pell dies at 81

Jan 10, 2023 / 16:15 pm

The Australian prelate suffered a cardiac arrest and died at 8:50 p.m. Rome time, his secretary confirmed to EWTN. 

Bells to ring for Benedict XVI in all Catholic churches in Germany

Jan 3, 2023 / 09:30 am

The bells of all Catholic churches of the 27 dioceses of Germany are expected to toll at 11 a.m. (local time) on Jan 5. to pay respect for the late pontiff.

Benedict XVI dead at 95: The ‘humble worker’ and his legacy of hope to the Catholic Church

Dec 31, 2022 / 02:59 am

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has died at the age of 95, bringing to a close the momentous life of a Churchman who proclaimed the “eternal joy” of Jesus Christ and called himself a “humble worker” in the vineyard of the Lord.

BREAKING: Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI dies at age 95

Dec 31, 2022 / 02:44 am

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, a leading theologian of the 20th century and the first pope to resign from office in nearly 600 years, has died at the age of 95, the Vatican announced.

‘Trust in Providence’: Faithful pray for Benedict XVI at special Mass in Rome

Dec 30, 2022 / 11:30 am

In a special Mass for Benedict XVI at the Basilica of St. John Lateran on Friday afternoon, the faithful joined in prayer for the ailing pope emeritus.

Vatican: Benedict XVI has rested well, his condition is stable

Dec 30, 2022 / 07:02 am

The Vatican said on Friday that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI had rested well and that his condition was unchanged.

Pope Francis, renewing his prayers for peace in Ukraine, calls on Catholics to learn from the martyrs

Dec 26, 2022 / 06:07 am

Pope Francis on Monday called on Catholics to pray for those who have harmed them — and those persecuted — as he renewed his Christmas call for peace in Ukraine and worldwide. 

German bishop must face Vatican investigation, abuse council demands

Dec 12, 2022 / 08:35 am

The survivors’ organization called on Bishop Bode “to take moral responsibility for the suffering caused by him — irrespective of the standards of criminal law.”

Pope Francis calls on Catholics to entrust themselves to Our Lady, prays for peace in Ukraine

Dec 8, 2022 / 08:42 am

On Thursday, Pope Francis publicly visited the statue dedicated to the Immaculate Conception near Rome’s Piazza di Spagna for the first time in two years.