Articles by AC Wimmer
Pope Leo calls on youth to ‘accept the invitation of the Church and Christ the Lord’
May 11, 2025 / 06:51 amPope Leo also celebrated Mother’s Day as jubilee bands and thousands of pilgrims created a festive atmosphere in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday.
Powerful symbols: Vatican releases Pope Leo XIV’s official portrait and signature
May 10, 2025 / 10:30 amThe Vatican has released Pope Leo XIV’s signature, which includes the traditional “P.P.” (“Pastor Pastorum”) notation not used by Francis.
Pope Leo XIV shares vision for papacy in age of artificial intelligence
May 10, 2025 / 08:15 amPope Leo XIV explained his choice of name and the Church’s social teaching in the face of artificial intelligence and more.
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost elected as 267th pope, takes name Leo XIV
May 8, 2025 / 12:11 pmWhite smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel at 6:09 p.m. Rome time on Thursday, signaling that the College of Cardinals had chosen a successor to Pope Francis.
Black smoke rises from Sistine Chapel as Thursday morning voting concludes without a pope
May 8, 2025 / 05:51 amThe plume of dark smoke indicates that the 133 cardinal electors sequestered inside the chapel have not reached the required two-thirds majority.
Black smoke rises from Sistine Chapel as first conclave vote ends without new pope
May 7, 2025 / 15:09 pmThe black smoke confirmed the 133 cardinal electors sequestered inside had not reached the required two-thirds majority — at least 89 votes — needed to elect a new pope.
‘Discern and order’: Cardinal calls for continuation of Pope Francis’ reform path
Apr 28, 2025 / 18:42 pmSpeaking at St. Peter’s Basilica on Monday, the 54-year-old vicar general for the Diocese of Rome described how the faithful feel like “sheep without a shepherd.”
Cardinals discuss Church’s future challenges as Sistine Chapel preparations begin
Apr 28, 2025 / 11:39 amDuring the meeting, approximately 20 cardinals delivered addresses on “themes of particular relevance for the future of the Church,” according to the Holy See Press Office.
May 7 papal conclave date finalized as cardinals prepare for election
Apr 28, 2025 / 07:13 amThe Vatican announced Monday that the conclave to elect Pope Francis’ successor will begin on May 7, as the Church enters the final preparatory phase for choosing its 267th pope.
Vancouver archbishop calls for prayer after deadly attack claims 11 lives at Filipino festival
Apr 27, 2025 / 21:48 pm“Your spirit of hope shines even amid darkness,” Archbishop J. Michael Miller told Vancouver’s Filipino community following a devastating festival attack.
New Zealand cardinal reflects on ‘beautiful’ Pope Francis funeral as cardinals prepare for conclave
Apr 27, 2025 / 00:01 amCardinal John Dew will become the third New Zealander to participate in a papal election.
Cardinal Becciu claims conclave vote despite loss of privileges
Apr 25, 2025 / 02:00 amThe former deputy Vatican secretary of state told Italian media as he left his native Sardinia for Rome on April 22 that he would participate in the conclave.
Pope Francis meets Vice President Vance, exchanges Easter gifts
Apr 20, 2025 / 07:26 amPope Francis met briefly with U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Easter Sunday morning at the Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican confirmed.
Pope calls for peace, warns against ‘logic of fear’ in Easter message ‘urbi et orbi’
Apr 20, 2025 / 07:12 amThe pope’s traditional blessing, “urbi et orbi,” was read by Archbishop Diego Ravelli, but Pope Francis later toured St. Peter’s Square in the popemobile.
‘Run’ to seek Christ in everyday life, Pope Francis says in Easter Sunday homily
Apr 20, 2025 / 06:10 am“We must look for him without ceasing,” the pope’s prepared text emphasized. “Because if he has risen from the dead, then he is present everywhere.”
Vance visits Vatican: U.S. vice president and Cardinal Parolin address global concerns
Apr 19, 2025 / 07:35 amDuring Holy Saturday talks at the Vatican, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin reaffirmed their commitment to religious freedom.
Rome’s ancient Colosseum hosts Way of the Cross with pope’s theme of renewal
Apr 18, 2025 / 18:05 pmUnable to attend the Good Friday ceremony in person for the third consecutive year, the pope offered deep meditations for the Way of the Cross.
Washing of feet at Vatican highlights Holy Thursday call to reject world that ‘betrays’ for profit
Apr 17, 2025 / 17:18 pmCardinal Mauro Gambetti urged Catholics to reject a world that “betrays” people for economic gain and power, instead embracing the “power of service.”
Vatican updates rules for Mass intentions, permits collective offerings under strict conditions
Apr 13, 2025 / 14:50 pmPope Francis approved the document — published so far only in Italian — on Palm Sunday, April 13. It will take effect on Easter Sunday, April 20.
Record number of adult baptisms in France shows surge among youth
Apr 12, 2025 / 11:30 amThe French Catholic Church will welcome more than 10,384 adult converts at Easter baptisms this year, marking a 45% increase from 2024.