Cardinal Kurt Koch Archives

Search for Christian unity is making progress, pope says

May 26, 2020

Marking the 25th anniversary of St. John Paul II’s encyclical on Christian unity, Pope Francis said he shares “the healthy impatience” of those who think more can and should be done, but he also insisted that Christians must be grateful for the progress made.

By Cindy Wooden

Swiss cardinal skips Mass to avoid priest accused of Nazi sympathies

May 4, 2018

Swiss Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, canceled his participation in an upcoming Mass because one of the celebrants is a newly ordained priest with a history of alleged Nazi sympathies.

By Zita Ballinger Fletcher

Pope wants Germans to find ‘unanimous’ solution on intercommunion

May 3, 2018

After a rare summit between German bishops and Vatican officials on Thursday to discuss a dispute on intercommunion, the Vatican said Pope Francis wants the Germans to find a “possibly unanimous” solution.

By John L. Allen Jr.

Summit of German shepherds, Vatican heavyweights captures three ironies

May 1, 2018

A May 3 summit between German prelates and Vatican officials on the issue of intercommunion neatly captures three grand ironies about the state of things in 21st century Catholicism.

By John L. Allen Jr.

Pope Francis celebrates St. Paul, unity along with Christian partners

Jan 26, 2018

Pope Francis stressed that Christians of all denominations “are all one family” during vespers for the feast of the conversion of St. Paul.

By Claire Giangravè

Pope urges continued dialogue between Orthodox, Catholics

Nov 30, 2017

In a message marking the feast of St. Andrew, Pope Francis praised Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s efforts in promoting the care of creation, the peaceful coexistence among peoples and the plight of Christians in the Middle East.

By Junno Arocho Esteves