Walter Sánchez Silva

Walter Sánchez Silva

Walter Sánchez Silva is a senior writer for ACI Prensa (https://www.aciprensa.com). With more than 15 years of experience, he has reported from important ecclesial events in Europe, Asia and Latin America during the pontificates of Benedict XVI and Pope Francis. E-mail: walter@aciprensa.com

Articles by Walter Sánchez Silva

Miraculous cure of former atheist, now priest, clinches canonization of Pier Giorgio Frassati

Dec 23, 2024 / 08:00 am

The story of Juan Manuel Gutiérrez, a priest of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, whose life is now directly linked to the Italian saint-to-be Pier Giorgio Frassati.

Bishop Álvarez celebrates public Mass for Nicaragua

Dec 20, 2024 / 18:00 pm

In his first public Mass, celebrated in Seville province, Spain, Bishop Rolando Álvarez prayed for his “beloved Nicaragua.”

World’s youngest cardinal is just 44 years old

Dec 10, 2024 / 08:00 am

Among the new crop of cardinals created by Pope Francis on Dec. 7, Cardinal Mykola Bychok stands out. At 44, he is the youngest cardinal in the world. 

First Mass celebrated in restored Notre Dame cathedral

Dec 9, 2024 / 15:10 pm

The archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, on Dec. 8 celebrated the first Mass during which the altar of the restored Notre Dame Cathedral was consecrated.

Battle over gender policies for minors also rages in Chile

Dec 7, 2024 / 09:00 am

Since mid-2024, Chile’s legislative branch has been reviewing various regulations on the use of medications and procedures for the “gender transition” of minors.

Nicaraguan dictatorship kidnaps and expels another priest 

Dec 5, 2024 / 14:40 pm

The dictatorship of Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua has kidnapped and expelled from the country Father Floriano Ceferino Vargas, a priest of the Diocese of Bluefields.

Central American bishops call for day of prayer for Catholic Church in Nicaragua

Dec 4, 2024 / 07:00 am

The bishops of Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala are inviting the faithful to participate in a day of prayer for the Church in Nicaragua.

Pope Francis’ letter to Nicaraguan Catholics is ‘balm for our spirit,’ exiles say

Dec 3, 2024 / 16:05 pm

Catholics exiled from Nicaragua are expressing their gratitude for the recent letter of encouragement Pope Francis sent to the persecuted Church in the country.

Catholic Church in El Salvador calls on president to maintain ban on gold mining

Dec 3, 2024 / 07:00 am

The Catholic Church in El Salvador has asked President Nayib Bukele not to repeal the 2017 law that prohibits the mining of metals in that country.

One of Europe’s most wanted arrested for murdering priest, injuring nun

Nov 27, 2024 / 14:39 pm

According to a police statement posted Nov. 25 on their website, the man was arrested in Girona province in the Catalonia region of Spain.

Dictatorship in Nicaragua expels president of country’s bishops’ conference

Nov 15, 2024 / 15:25 pm

The prelate recently criticized a pro-Ortega mayor who interfered with a Mass by blasting loud music in front of the local cathedral.

Catholic Sen. Marco Rubio is Trump’s nominee for top Cabinet post

Nov 14, 2024 / 16:10 pm

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, a Catholic, is President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for the key post of U.S. secretary of state.

Pope Francis appoints new preacher to the Papal Household to succeed Cardinal Cantalamessa

Nov 11, 2024 / 15:05 pm

Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa has been preacher of the Papal Household since 1980, when he was appointed by St. John Paul II.

How to accompany cancer patients? Four experts propose some ways

Nov 9, 2024 / 07:00 am

Four experts offer important and practical ways to be supportive of family members and friends who have cancer.

Cause for beatification of Sister Clare Crockett opened

Nov 4, 2024 / 17:20 pm

The congregation of Sister Clare Crockett, a young nun who died in 2016 during an earthquake in Ecuador, announced the beginning of her cause for beatification.

Pope Francis cuts salaries of Vatican cardinals again

Oct 28, 2024 / 18:40 pm

Pope Francis has decided to cut the salaries of the cardinals working at the Vatican again, a measure that will take effect Nov. 1.

Gustavo Gutiérrez, ‘father of liberation theology,’ dies at 96

Oct 23, 2024 / 04:35 am

Gustavo Gutiérrez Merino, the Peruvian Dominican priest considered the ”father” of liberation theology, died Oct. 22 at the age of 96.

Jerusalem cardinal: Two-state solution to end Israel-Hamas war is now ‘unrealistic’

Oct 21, 2024 / 18:30 pm

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa indicated that for now a two-state solution to end the war between Israel and Hamas in the Holy Land is “not realistic.”

‘The Dark Charm of Halloween’ is title of new book by International Association of Exorcists

Oct 21, 2024 / 06:00 am

“The Dark Charm of Halloween” is the title of a new book launched by the International Association of Exorcists.

Fire devastates historic church and Franciscan convent in Chile; arson not ruled out

Oct 14, 2024 / 18:40 pm

A fire on Friday devastated St. Anthony of Padua Church and a Franciscan convent in the city of Iquique, Chile.