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Voices
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
Pope Francis, with Monsignor Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo at right, signs a declaration during a two-day Vatican summit of judges and magistrates against human trafficking and organized crime. The summit began on June 3. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
News
Vatican summit sets goals to combat human trafficking
Gerard O’Connell
Pope Francis and criminal-justice officials declare prostitution, forced labor and organ trafficking as “Crimes against Humanity.”
News
Pope issues decree for removing bishops negligent in protecting minors from sex abuse
Gerard O’Connell
The decree makes it possible to remove diocesan bishops for neglecting to protect children and vulnerable adults from sexual abuse.
Judging Wising. Pope Francis addresses Vatican summit on combating human trafficking. Photo courtesy of Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences
Dispatches
Pope Francis urges healing and justice for victims of human trafficking
Gerard O’Connell
“There is no valid punishment without [offering] hope.”
Students from the Archdiocese of Calcutta take part in a walk for peace against human trafficking in early February in Kolkatta, India. (CNS photo/Piyal Adhikary, EPA)
Dispatches
Vatican invites judges to share best practices in combatting modern slavery
Gerard O’Connell
Pope Francis will address the summit on Friday evening.
Pope Francis delivers a talk during a retreat for priests at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome June 2. (CNS photo/L'Osservatore Romano, handout)
Dispatches
Pope Francis tells priests: ‘Nothing unites us to God more than an act of mercy.’
Gerard O’Connell
Today the pope returned to his role as spiritual retreat master.
Dispatches
'Pope Francis is with the people,' says Hebe de Bonafini, president of 'Madres de la Plaza de Mayo'
Gerard O’Connell
Pope Francis met with Hebe de Bonafini, the president of "Madres de la Plaza de Mayo," a human rights organization in Argentina.
Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis’ Dream for Europe
Gerard O’Connell
"Peace will be lasting in the measure that we arm our children with the weapons of dialogue.”
Pope Francis leaves in procession after celebrating the closing Mass of the World Meeting of Families on Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, Sept. 27 (CNS photo/Paul Haring).
Dispatches
Pope Francis’ exhortation is the “Magna Carta” for World Meeting of Families in Dublin
Gerard O’Connell
This global gathering “is an event of the whole church,” said Archbishop Diarmuid Martin.
Pope Francis gives the sheik of Al-Azhar medallion of the Olive of Peace.
Dispatches
Pope Francis and top Muslim leader meet at the Vatican
Gerard O’Connell
“The meeting is the message,” the pope said as he welcomed Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gestures as he speaks to Pope Francis while exchanging gifts during private audience at Vatican in June 2014.
Dispatches
Pope Francis highlights friendly relations between Japan and the Holy See
Gerard O’Connell
It all began on Aug. 14, 1549, when St. Francis Xavier arrived and introduced Christianity.