John Cookson

'More of the same': London's Catholics react to Pope's death and prepare for conclave

london is home to more than a million catholics – so where better than magnificent westminster cathedral to gauge the mood of the capital's ...

Scorsese's candid message to Christians: "Faith and doubt are inseparable."

at the launch of his new television series about the saints, including joan of arc and john the baptist, academy award winning director mart...

Can Japan's tiny Catholic minority survive country's secularisation and low birth rate?

in the broad daylight of a turbulent history, catholicism in japan faces two new challenges, as i learned on a recent visit to the country: ...

Persecution of the faithful: the greatest story never told

peninah was only 24-years-old when her husband paul was murdered by al-shabaab terrorists in kenya. attackers with kalashnikovs, lined the m...

Odessa bishop claims Putin is "possessed by the Devil"

odessa, ukraine bishop stanislav shyrokoradiuk pulls no punches when asked about russian president putin's motivation for invading ukraine. ...

"Everything is in God's hands now," says Ukrainian priest

lviv, ukraine. i met with father nesto kysyk the same morning four russian cruise missiles slammed into a military aircraft hangar on the ed...

A year after Pope Francis's historic visit, Iraq's Christians face new threats

Returning to Iraq, a year after covering Pope Francis's trip, John Cookson asks why the Biden administration is cutting aid to the country's Christians
there can't be many priests who celebrate mass in an empty church. but the archbishop of mosul, mgr najeeb michaeel, has little choice. most...

Pope Francis in Iraq: A Man on a Mission

Pope Francis was a man on a mission, says correspondent <i>John Cookson</i> in Baghdad on Monday morning. The question is: Did he succeed?
in iraq, pope francis was a man on a mission. the question is: will it prove to have been successful ? by john cookson in baghdad few popes ...

Pope Francis in Iraq: Not Your Typical Lenten Sunday

The Pope returns to Baghdad and departs for Rome Monday, having wound up what will be seen as a highly successful four-day historic pilgrimage.
mass in erbil capped the day, which began in mosul with a powerfully moving prayer service for victims or war, and saw the indomitable spiri...

Pope Francis in Iraq: Sunday at a Glance

Beleaguered Christian communities in the north of Iraq hope today's pilgrimage by the Pope will not only help the healing process but also draw world attention to their continuing persecution.
a jam-packed final full day of pope francis's historic visit by john cookson -- baghdad -- pope francis is spending his last full day in ira...

Pope Francis in Iraq: Historic Meetings on Saturday Stir Hope

John Cookson reports from Iraq, on a momentous day of doings in an historic visit to the country by Pope Francis.
pope francis meets religious leaders in ur, iraq, on march 06, 2021. image © vatican media details were sparse, but the fact the meeting bet...

Pope Francis meets Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in Iraq

Francis and Sistani appear to share some traits, which could mean they’ll get on well going forward. They are close in age - Sistani is 90, Francis is 84 - and men both shun ostentation.
pope francis and grand ayatollah ali sistani, march 06, 2021. image © vatican media an historic meeting shows when it comes to building brid...

Pope Francis: At the Presidential Palace in Iraq

"It's indescribable," said one worshipper, 53-year-old Martin Scekes, who survived the bombing and decided to stay. Mr. Scekes  told the Catholic Herald: "The Pope coming to see us will lift our hearts."
-- baghdad -- pope francis arrived at the presidential palace in iraq on friday, in the heavily fortified green zone of the capital. an hono...

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