AC Wimmer

AC Wimmer is the News Editor for Europe and Asia at EWTN News. The multilingual Australian, raised in Bavaria and South Africa, served as editor-in-chief of several news media outlets. A graduate in Philosophy and Chinese Studies from the University of Melbourne, the veteran journalist is a former Honorary Research Fellow in Communications at his alma mater and served on the Board of Caritas in Munich.

The dome of St. Peter’s Basilica. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

Vatican’s Financial Watchdog Reports Decrease in Suspicious Activities

The Supervisory and Financial Information Authority (ASIF) published its 2024 annual report showing steady improvements in the Holy See’s financial...

Pope Francis at the Jubilee of the Sick in St. Peter's Square on Sunday, April 6, 2025, wearing nasal cannulas for supplemental oxygen as he continues recovering from bilateral pneumonia. / Credit: Daniel Ibañez/EWTN News

The Sickbed As a Holy Place: Pope Francis Reflects on His Own Illness at Jubilee of Sick

In a moving homily read by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, the pontiff described how suffering can become “a place of encounter”...

Statue of St. Peter on St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

Pope Francis' Condition Shows "slight improvement" as Medical Care Continues

Pope Francis continues to show “slight improvement” in his respiratory condition as he receives ongoing medical care, according to the...

Pope Francis looks out at the crowd gathered below his hospital window at Rome's Gemelli Hospital on March 23, 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media/Screenshot

Hundreds of Missionaries of Mercy Priests Gather in Rome, Pope Francis Lauds their Witnessing “to paternal face of God”

Pope Francis reflected on the profound connection between mercy and hope in his message.

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin (right) meets with Polish President Andrzej Duda on March 28, 2025, at the Vatican. / Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis’ Recovery Progresses as Vatican Appoints New Librarian, Polish President Visits

Pope Francis continues to show gradual improvement as he recovers from bilateral pneumonia at his residence in Casa Santa Marta.

Pope Francis waves from a balcony at Gemelli Hospital in Rome on Sunday, March 23, 2025, following weeks of hospitalization for bilateral pneumonia. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

Pope Francis Discharged from Hospital, Returns to Vatican after Making First Public Appearance in Weeks

The moment marked his first public engagement in weeks.

Catholics attend the Mass and episcopal ordination of two new bishops in St. Peter's Basilica Oct. 17, 2021. / Credit: Daniel Ibanez/EWTN/Vatican Pool

"Every vocation is animated by hope": Pope Francis in Message for World Day of Prayer for Vocations

In his message for the 62nd World Day of Prayer for Vocations, Pope Francis highlighted hope as essential to authentic...

Pope Francis addresses bishops gathered in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican for the Synod on Synodality closing Mass on Oct. 27, 2024. / Credit: Vatican Media

Vatican Announces Plans for 2028 Post-Synodal Assembly to Evaluate Synod on Synodality Implementation

Pope Francis has approved a three-year synodal process ending with a postsynodal ecclesial assembly in 2028, which will foster dialogue,...

Pope Francis is hugged by a young visitor at his general audience at the Vatican, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis Thanks Pro-life Pilgrims on Movement for Life Golden Jubilee, Lauds Dedication to “service of human life”

The 88-year-old pontiff thanked the pro-life pilgrims on their organization’s 50th anniversary, praising their concrete support for mothers experiencing difficult...

The chapel at Gemelli Hosptial in Rome bears the name and contains a relic of another pope who knew these corridors well: St. John Paul II. The Polish pontiff was hospitalized here multiple times, including after an assassination attempt in 1981. / Credit: Courtney Mares/CNA

Pope Francis Rests Well, Drinks Coffee, Reads Newspapers as Pneumonia Treatment Progresses

Recovery for the 88-year-old Holy Father “will certainly not be imminent,” Vatican officials cautioned, indicating a potentially extended hospital stay.

Left: Banners at Rome’s Gemelli University Hospital. Right: Pope Francis waves from a wheelchair, Feb. 13, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

Pope Francis Expresses Heartfelt Gratitude for Spiritual Solidarity, Prays for the Suffering, Meets Vatican Officials

Vatican sources reported that the 88-year-old pontiff met Sunday morning with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, and...

A statue of St. John Paul II is seen in front of the entrance to Rome's Gemelli hospital on Feb. 22, 2025, where Pope Francis continues to receive treatment for respiratory issues. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

Pope Francis' Health Remains Stable Following Friday Respiratory Crisis

The pontiff received the Eucharist Saturday afternoon and dedicated time to prayer at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.

An aerial view shows over 4,000 deacons gathered in St. Peter’s Basilica for the special jubilee Mass, Feb. 23, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

Pope Francis in Hospital Urges Deacons to Selfless Service as Thousands Gather for Jubilee Mass

The message, centered on selfless service and forgiveness, emphasized three fundamental aspects of diaconal ministry: “forgiveness, selfless service, and communion.”

Pope Francis Spends Peaceful Second Night at Hospital, Prays for Peace at Angelus

Pope Francis spent a peaceful night and continued his treatment at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, still managing to share a prepared...

A view of Rome’s Gemelli Hospital where Pope Francis was delivered Feb. 14, 2025, to receive treatment for bronchitis. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

Pope Francis "peaceful" after First Night in Rome Hospital

“Medical assessments and necessary treatments are continuing,” after Pope Francis had a “peaceful night” and read several newspapers Saturday morning.

Sister Raffaella Petrini. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News

Sr. Raffaella Petrini of Franciscan Sisters of Eucharist to Become First Woman to Head Vatican City State Governorate

Sister Raffaella Petrini of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist (FSE) will become the first woman to lead the Vatican...

Pope Francis waves to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for his Wednesday general audience on Dec. 4, 2024. / Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis Makes Surprise Festival Appearance with Peace Plea

Speaking from his residence at Casa Santa Marta in an unscheduled appearance via video, the pontiff praised music's unique ability...

Cardinal Michael Czerny is the prefect of the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. / Credit: Pablo Esparza/CNA

People "terrorized" by U.S. Crackdown on Illegal Immigration: Vatican Official

“A crackdown is a terrible way to administer affairs and much less to administer justice,” Czech-born Canadian Jesuit Cardinal Michael...

Pope Francis delivers his Angelus address from the window of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter’s Square on Feb. 2, 2025, the feast of the Presentation of the Lord. / Credit: Vatican Media

Love and Light: Pope Francis Reflects on Christ’s Presentation

Pope Francis, reflecting on the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple, says it serves as a reminder that Jesus...

Pope Francis speaks during his general audience on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, in the Paul VI Audience Hall at the Vatican. / Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis Tells Ukrainian Youth to be Patriots, Pursue Peace Through Dialogue

In a virtual meeting, Pope Francis urged young Ukrainians to maintain hope and continue dialogue despite the ravages of war.