St. John Paul II Archives

Facing pollution, fire and exploitation, Amazonians wonder ‘if the world hates us’

Sep 19, 2019

“It’s as if the world hates us,” Daniela Andrade said Monday, trying to explain the bewilderment and anger people often feel over blatant pollution and related health issues generated by the oil and mining industries, coupled with grinding poverty and chronic governmental neglect.

By Inés San Martín

On American critics, Pope says he doesn’t want a schism but he’s not afraid of it

Sep 10, 2019

“There always is the schismatic option in the Church,” Francis said. “It’s a choice that the Lord leaves to human freedom. I am not afraid of schism … I pray for them not to happen, as the spiritual health of many people is at stake.”

By Inés San Martín

Pope’s deforestation alarm wasn’t a break from tradition – it is tradition

Sep 10, 2019

The idea that there’s something jarring about Christian conservationism was fashionable in the 1960s and ’70s, but it’s been badly outdated for some time.

By John L. Allen Jr.

St. John Paul II’s challenge is still valid: “Learn Rome!”

Aug 1, 2019

John Allen takes a walk in his Roman neighborhood and ‘learns Rome’ as Pope John Paul II advised.

By John L. Allen Jr.

‘Revolution’ in Poland as nation confronts priestly abuse

May 25, 2019

Poland thought it had started confronting the problem of clerical abuse and its cover-up by church authorities. Then a bombshell came: A documentary with victim testimony so harrowing it has forced an unprecedented reckoning with pedophile priests in one of Europe’s most deeply Catholic societies.

By Associated Press

John Paul’s closest aide defends pope’s legacy on sex abuse scandals

Feb 24, 2019

Despite criticism of St. John Paul II’s handling of the clerical sexual abuse crisis, the late pope’s closest aide says an anti-abuse summit taking place this week is completely consistent with John Paul’s own approach.

By Paulina Guzik