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

Father Marko Rupnik, SJ, in an interview with EWTN in 2020. EWTN

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.

Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict embrace each other at the Vatican's Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, June 30, 2015. L'Osservatore Romano.

‘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.

Bishop Georg Bätzing, president of the German bishops’ conference in St. Peter’s Square, June 27, 2020. Deutsche Bischofskonferenz/Matthias Kopp.

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.

The cuddly bear commemorating the late Pope Benedict XVI, created by the Coburg, Bavaria, company Hermann Teddy Fabrik in Germany. Credit: www.teddy-fabrik.de

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.

Pope Benedict XVI Paul Badde/EWTN

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.

Austrian Cardinal Christoph Schönborn (left) and Archbishop Georg Gänswein, longtime personal secretary for Pope Benedict XVI. Daniel Ibañez/CNA

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.

Cardinal George Pell. Matthew Rarey/CNA

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.

Cardinal George Pell gives an interview to EWTN News in Rome, Italy, on Dec. 9, 2020. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA. null

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. 

Pope Benedict XVI during audiences in Vatican in Rome Marco Iacobucci Epp|Shutterstock

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.

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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.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI died on Dec. 31, 2022, at age 95. Vatican Media/EWTN News

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.

Catholics attending a special Mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at the Lateran Basilica in Rome, Dec. 30, 2022. Alan Köppschall / EWTN Vatican

‘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.

Reception of Pope Benedict XVI from Federal President Christian Wulff at Schloss Bellevue on Sept. 22, 2012, in Berlin, Germany. Credit: vipflash / Shutterstock

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 waves to the faithful gathered on St. Peter's Square, Dec. 26, 2022 Vatican Media

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. 

Bishop Franz-Josef Bode speaks during a press conference on Sept. 22, 2022, following the release of a report that said he mishandled abuse cases in the Diocese of Osnabrück, in northwestern Germany, which he has led since 1995. Screenshot of YouTube video

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 visits the statue dedicated to the Immaculate Conception near Rome’s Piazza di Spagna Dec. 8, 2022. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez / CNA

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. 

Pope Francis speaking at the general audience on St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Nov. 30, 2022 Daniel Ibáñez / CNA

Pope Francis decrees better control of Vatican funds and foundations

Dec 6, 2022 / 08:00 am

Pope Francis issued a decree on Tuesday aimed at improving the financial accountability of funds, foundations, and other legal entities inside the Vatican.

Thomas Sternberg speaking at a press conference for the German "Synodal Way" on Sept. 30, 2021, in Frankfurt. Synodaler Weg/Maximilian von Lachner

German Synodal Way designed to create ‘pressure’ on the Church, founding president says

Dec 2, 2022 / 07:10 am

Thomas Sternberg, former president of the Central Committee of German Catholics, said the process wanted to achieve changes to Church teaching.

Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI greet each other at the 65th priestly ordination of Pope Emeritus XVI at the Clementine Hall. © L’Osservatore Romano

Pope Francis praises ‘fruitful’ theology of Benedict XVI

Dec 1, 2022 / 05:06 am

Speaking at the 2022 Ratzinger Prize award ceremony, Francis said: “We all feel his spiritual presence and his accompaniment in prayer for the whole Church.”

Bishop Erik Varden of the Roman Catholic Territorial Prelature of Trondheim presides at vespers at Santa Maria dell'Anima in Rome, Nov. 28, 2022 Daniel Ibáñez / CNA

Norwegian bishop: Catholic life leads ‘to persecution to some degree in this fallen world’

Nov 30, 2022 / 07:00 am

Marking 500 years of his country’s history, a convert to Catholicism, Trappist monk, and Scandinavian bishop spoke about persecution in Rome this week.