Cardinal Angelo Comastri Archives

Inside the secret conversion of Italy’s Christopher Hitchens

May 14, 2021

Giosué Carducci, the poet most identified with the risorgimento uprising in the late 19th century, and an ardent atheist and anti-cleric who once composed a celebrated “Hymn to Satan,” reportedly confessed his sins thirty years later and went to his death a faithful Catholic, albeit without announcing his change of heart.

By John L. Allen Jr.

Will the Vatican investigate a cardinal implicated in its own abuse trial?

Feb 26, 2021

Three witnesses testified that Italian Cardinal Angelo Comastri, who was relieved of his position as Archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica last Saturday by Pope Francis, or his aides, had been aware of sexual abuse allegations at a pre-seminary on Vatican grounds and took no action.

By John L. Allen Jr.

Vatican cardinal suggest COVID-19 made in laboratory, condemns ‘bacteriological wars’
- Jul 21, 2020
A Vatican cardinal serving as the archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica says that COVID-19 coronavirus does not “come from God” but possibly from a laboratory, and denounced the “great powers” for organizing “bacteriological wars.”

By Inés San Martín
St. John Paul showed how to face suffering by embracing God, Mary
- Apr 2, 2020
Remembering St. John Paul II and the 15th anniversary of his death, Pope Francis encouraged people to pray for his intercession and trust in Divine Mercy, especially during these “difficult days” of the coronavirus pandemic.

By Carol Glatz
Vatican to try two priests for alleged abuse of altar boys in St. Peter’s Basilica
- Sep 17, 2019
Vatican magistrates have decided that one priest accused of sexually abusing underage altar boys who served in St. Peter’s Basilica, and another accused of facilitating that abuse, will be put on trial.

By John L. Allen Jr.
Syrian bishops, other Catholic leaders protest U.S. missile strike
- Apr 7, 2017
Hours after the United States launched 59 missiles do destroy a military base of the Syrian government, many Catholic leaders, including the bishop of Aleppo, raised their voices in condemnation. Among other things, Catholic leaders in Syria complained that the strike was conducted before an investigation of an alleged chemical attack was completed.

By Inés San Martín