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Gerard O’Connell

Gerard O’Connell is America’s Vatican correspondent and author of The Election of Pope Francis: An Inside Story of the Conclave That Changed History. He has been covering the Vatican since 1985.

@gerryorome
Articles by Gerard O’Connell
Palestinian protesters run for cover from tear gas fired by Israeli troops in clashes on May 15 during a protest in the West Bank town of Bethlehem marking the 69th anniversary of their uprooting. Palestinians call the 1948 uprooting "nakba" or catastrophe. (CNS photo/Ammar Awad, Reuters)
Politics & SocietyVatican Dispatch
Catholic Church in the Holy Land says the Israel-Palestine situation “cannot be considered normal”
Gerard O’Connell
The conflict is almost certain to be on the agenda for discussion when President Trump comes to the Vatican.
Politics & SocietyVatican Dispatch
Pope says he will not pre-judge Trump, will seek common ground.
Gerard O’Connell
Pope says he will not pre-judge Trump and that Marie Collins had some good reasons for her resignation from the sex abuse commission.
Pope Francis embraces Lucas Batista from Brazil as offertory gifts are presented during the canonization Mass of Sts. Francisco and Jacinta Marto.
Faith
Pope Francis makes history and canonizes Jacinta and Francisco, two child saints
Gerard O’Connell
Pope Francis made history by canonizing Jacinta and Francisco Marto, the first child saints who are not martyrs.
Pilgrims arrive at the Marian shrine of Fatima May 10 in central Portugal (CNS photo/Paulo Cunha, EPA).
FaithVatican Dispatch
Pope Francis goes as a pilgrim to Fatima “to share the Gospel of hope and peace”
Gerard O’Connell
One million pilgrims are expected to join Pope Francis in Fatima on May 12 to 13 for the centenary celebration of the apparitions of Our Lady to three Portuguese shepherd children.
Portuguese shepherd children Lucia dos Santos, center, and her cousins, Jacinta and Francisco Marto, are seen in a file photo taken around the time of the 1917 apparitions of Mary at Fatima. (CNS photo/EPA)
FaithVatican Dispatch
The story of Fatima: the apparitions, the miracles and the journey to sainthood
Gerard O’Connell
On Saturday Pope Francis will canonize two of the children who saw the Marian apparitions in 1917.
Pope Francis greets Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of Myanmar, during a private audience at the Vatican May 4. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
FaithVatican Dispatch
Myanmar and Holy See Establish Diplomatic Relations
Gerard O’Connell
The Vatican made the announcement after a meeting between Pope Francis and Aung San Suu Kyi, de facto leader of Myanmar.
Pope Francis listens to a question from Vera Shcherbakova of the Itar-Tass news agency while talking with journalists aboard his flight from Cairo to Rome April 29. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
FaithVatican Dispatch
Pope Francis calls for diplomatic solution to North Korea crisis
Gerard O’Connell
The situation in North Korea, he added, has been heated for a long time, "but now it seems it has heated up too much, no?"
Pope Francis greets children dressed as pharaohs and in traditional dress as he arrives to celebrate Mass at the Air Defense Stadium in Cairo April 29. (CNS photo/L'Osservatore Romano)
FaithVatican Dispatch
Pope Francis scores on multiple fronts as visit to Egypt ends
Gerard O’Connell
Francis took the risk, trusting in God. His decision transmitted a message of hope on the political front to all Egyptians, Christians and Muslims alike, who are well aware that their country is today a target for ISIS terrorists and is engaged in a battle against terrorism.
Pope Francis shakes hands with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sissi, in Cairo, April 28 (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia).
FaithVatican Dispatch
Pope Francis to Egypt's leaders: country can end 'famine of love' in Mideast
Gerard O’Connell
The pope emphasized that Egypt, because of its history and geographical position, “occupies a unique role in the Middle East.
Politics & Society
In Cairo, Pope Francis calls on Christians and Muslims to build “a new civilization of peace.”
Gerard O’Connell
“What is needed are peacemakers, not fomenters of conflict; firefighters not arsonists; preachers of reconciliation and not instigators of destruction.”