Articles by Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican Christmas tree wreathed in controversy over environmental objections
Nov 21, 2024 / 12:30 pmAn online petition posted to change.org in mid-October garnered over 53,000 signatures in protest of the evergreen being chopped down.
Pope Francis assigns U.S. cardinal to carry out ‘urgent’ overhaul of Vatican pension fund
Nov 21, 2024 / 08:03 amIn a Nov. 21 letter to cardinals, prefects, and managers in the Roman Curia, the pope underlined the gravity of the unsustainability of the pension fund.
Vatican simplifies funeral rite for popes
Nov 20, 2024 / 12:55 pmThe second edition of the “Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis” (“Order of Funerals for Roman Pontiffs”) is a revision of the version published in 2000.
Pope Francis asks Rome’s Catholics to help combat ‘housing emergency’ during 2025 jubilee
Nov 15, 2024 / 12:45 pm“I want all diocesan realities that own real estate to offer their contribution to stem the housing emergency,” Pope Francis said.
Italy’s Mafia-fighting ‘street priest’ Archbishop Domenico Battaglia to become a cardinal
Nov 14, 2024 / 11:55 amBattaglia’s reputation as a “street priest” close to drug addicts and the poor has also led some to view him as Pope Francis’ Italian counterpart.
Vatican, Catholic leaders from Europe discuss sexual abuse in the Church
Nov 13, 2024 / 13:05 pmThe Vatican’s Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors is hosting a conference on safeguarding in the Catholic Church in Europe from Nov. 13–15.
Pope Francis urges ‘human-centered’ approach to ‘climate finance’ at UN COP29 summit
Nov 13, 2024 / 09:20 amPope Francis warned that both foreign debt and ecological debt are “mortgaging the future” of nations.
Pope Francis moves part of Vatican library and archive to Rome seminary
Nov 12, 2024 / 10:15 amThe pope declared that part of the archives and library be moved to a building on extraterritorial Vatican property at the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran.
Pope Francis marks first millennium since birth of St. Bernard, patron of mountaineers
Nov 11, 2024 / 11:30 amBernard, also known as St. Bernard of Menthon, lived from about 1020–1081 in what are now the countries of France, Switzerland, and Italy.
Rome’s most important church celebrates 1,700th birthday
Nov 9, 2024 / 04:00 amThe church is the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome and the seat of the bishop of Rome, the pope. The adjoining palace served as the papal residence until the 14th century.
Meet Pope Francis’ personal travel agent — new cardinal George Koovakad
Nov 7, 2024 / 06:00 amThe pontiff introduced Father George Jacob Koovakad to the world in 2021 as someone who is “always smiling.”
European leaders pledge cooperation with Trump after historic comeback victory
Nov 6, 2024 / 12:15 pmEuropean leaders expressed readiness to work with Donald Trump following his historic reelection, emphasizing transatlantic cooperation and shared values.
Vatican opens visitor center for St. Peter’s Basilica
Nov 5, 2024 / 11:40 amThe space, inaugurated Oct. 31, is intended to provide practical, artistic, and spiritual information to visitors of the Vatican basilica.
Pope Francis includes Naples, Italy, archbishop among new cardinals
Nov 5, 2024 / 07:00 amDuring his tenure in Naples, Italy, the archbishop has spoken out strongly against the violence of organized crime in the southern Italian city.
Pope Francis appoints Chicago auxiliary bishop to lead Milwaukee Archdiocese
Nov 4, 2024 / 14:00 pmWith the Nov. 4 appointment, 63-year-old Bishop Jeffrey Grob will be returning to his birth state of Wisconsin. He was born to dairy farmers in Cross Plains in 1961.
Pope Francis: The heart of our faith is love
Nov 3, 2024 / 13:35 pmEvery Sunday, Pope Francis appears at a window overlooking St. Peter’s Square to give a brief spiritual reflection before leading the Angelus prayer.
In Rome, theologians reflect on ‘reception’ stage of Synod on Synodality
Oct 30, 2024 / 15:25 pmThe academic congress was hosted by the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome from Oct. 28–30.
Here’s what Pope Francis is doing for All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days 2024
Oct 30, 2024 / 10:10 amFor All Souls’ Day, Francis will continue his custom of holding a Mass in a local cemetery to pray for the dead, especially the holy souls in purgatory.
Victims feel ‘betrayed’ as Vatican investigation of Rupnik hits one year with no answers
Oct 27, 2024 / 05:00 amOne year after the Vatican announced it would open a canonical case on Father Marko Rupnik, victims say they feel disappointed and betrayed.
Pope Francis ratifies Synod on Synodality’s final document, marking new approach to Church reform
Oct 26, 2024 / 16:10 pmPope Francis has announced that the final Synod on Synodality document will be adopted without a traditional papal exhortation.