Matthew Santucci

Matthew Santucci

Matthew Santucci is a CNA Rome correspondent based in EWTN's Vatican bureau. He grew up in Connecticut and has been living in Rome since 2020. He has a B.A. in History from Fordham and an M.A. in International Relations from Luiss Guido Carli.

Articles by Matthew Santucci

In letter to Holy Land Christians, Pope Francis deplores the war, expresses closeness 

Mar 27, 2024 / 12:00 pm

“Dear brothers and sisters, allow me to tell you once more that you are not alone. We will never leave you alone,” the pope wrote in his Holy Wednesday letter.

Amid Holy Week, Pope Francis points to ‘beautiful testimony’ of fathers who lost daughters

Mar 27, 2024 / 09:30 am

The Holy Father called attention to two men present at his general audience in the Paul VI Hall on Wednesday, one Palestinian, one Israeli.

Pope Francis to write meditations for Good Friday Way of the Cross for the first time

Mar 26, 2024 / 14:30 pm

The reflection will be based on the theme “In Prayer with Jesus on the Way of the Cross.”

Pope Francis implores public broadcasters to serve the common good and combat ‘fake news’

Mar 23, 2024 / 13:53 pm

The pope spoke of “the devious plans of those who seek to influence public opinion in an ideological manner, lying and disintegrating the social fabric.”

European bishops call for inclusion of Christian principles in Europe

Mar 22, 2024 / 10:45 am

The bishops bemoaned what they see as the political and institutional marginalization of Christian voices.

Pope Francis changes statutes of papal basilica, emphasizing work of canons 

Mar 21, 2024 / 17:30 pm

The new regulations place emphasis on spiritual work and pastoral care and appointing a coadjutor archpriest of the West’s oldest Marian shrine.

Pope Francis addresses migrant crisis in Darien Gap: ‘Every refugee challenges us’

Mar 20, 2024 / 15:15 pm

“As Christians, every refugee and migrant who leaves his or her homeland challenges us,” Pope Francis wrote.

Pope Francis highlights importance of prudence, calls for end to war

Mar 20, 2024 / 12:50 pm

“War is always a defeat. You can’t go on in war. We must make all efforts to negotiate, to negotiate, to end the war. Let’s pray for this,” the pope said Wednesday.

Pope Francis’ message for World Day of Prayer for Vocations stresses fraternity, hope

Mar 19, 2024 / 13:30 pm

The theme for the this year’s World Day of Prayer for Vocations is “Called to Sow Seeds ofHope and to Build Peace.”

Hong Kong’s draconian National Security Law won’t affect seal of confession, diocese says

Mar 15, 2024 / 16:30 pm

The Diocese of Hong Kong on Friday issued a statement that the seal of confession would not be violated under the new National Security Law.

Pope Francis: Indigenous ‘ancestral wisdom’ a vital tool in fight against climate change

Mar 15, 2024 / 10:20 am

Pope Francis addressed his remarks to participants of the conference “Indigenous Peoples’ Knowledge and the Sciences” at the Vatican on March 14.

Pope Francis: Study groups to examine 10 Synod on Synodality themes through June 2025

Mar 14, 2024 / 17:40 pm

Church experts will meet in study groups to examine the question of women deacons and other key topics through June 2025.

Blinken, Putin congratulate Pope Francis on 11th anniversary of election

Mar 14, 2024 / 09:20 am

Pope Francis — born Jorge Mario Bergoglio — was elected as the 265th successor to St. Peter on March 13, 2013.

Pope Francis: Virtue enables us to have ‘a tendency towards the right choice’

Mar 13, 2024 / 13:00 pm

Pope Francis on Wednesday opened a new chapter in his ongoing catechetical series on vices and virtues.

Ukrainian officials criticize Pope Francis’ ‘white flag’ remarks on Russia-Ukraine war

Mar 12, 2024 / 15:00 pm

“Our flag is a yellow and blue one. This is the flag by which we live, die, and prevail. We shall never raise any other flags,” Ukraine’s foreign minister wrote.

Vatican’s Good Friday Holy Land collection to aid humanitarian efforts in Gaza 

Mar 12, 2024 / 13:00 pm

The Vatican has overseen the Pontifical Collection for the Holy Land since 1974. Last year it raised more than $7 million.

Pope Francis: The heart of repentance is God’s ‘infinite love,’ ‘boundless mercy’

Mar 8, 2024 / 15:05 pm

“Repentance is neither the fruit of self-analysis, nor of a psychic sense of guilt,” the pope said.

‘God never tires of forgiving’: Pope Francis hears confessions at Roman parish

Mar 8, 2024 / 14:35 pm

Choosing the theme “Walking in the New Life,” the pope stressed that the Lenten journey is a moment of interior reflection and transformation. 

Pope Francis to clergy abuse commission: ‘Our commitment must not wane’

Mar 7, 2024 / 17:50 pm

“I encourage you to move forward so that the Church will be, always and everywhere, a place where everyone can feel at home,” Pope Francis said. 

Pope Francis: ‘Of all vices, pride is the great queen’

Mar 6, 2024 / 11:40 am

“Those who give in to this vice are far from God, and the correction of this evil requires time and effort, more than any other battle to which the Christian is called.”