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.

Pope Francis delivers his homily during the Jan. 26, 2025, Mass for Word of God Sunday at St. Peter’s Basilica. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

"God’s Word walks with us": Pope Francis Presides Over Sunday of the Word of God amid 2025 Jubilee Events at Vatican

“The Word of God is alive: Through the centuries it walks with us and, by the power of the Holy...

Pope Francis presides over vespers at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, accompanied by masters of ceremonies, marking the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Jan. 25, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

Pope Sees "providential" Moment as Catholics, Orthodox Hope They Could Celebrate Easter Together in 2025

Pope Francis emphasized that hope is “always possible” in Jesus Christ during an ecumenical vespers service marking both the Week...

A participant captures Pope Francis on their phone during the Jubilee of the World of Communications event at the Paul VI Hall, Jan. 25, 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media

At Vatican Jubilee, Pope Francis Skips Prepared Text for Heart-to-heart with Journalists

The written remarks also warned against what the pope termed “brain rot” caused by constant social media scrolling, calling for...

Former U.S. President Donald Trump walks on stage to deliver the keynote address at the Faith and Freedom Coalition’s Road to Majority Policy Conference at the Washington Hilton on June 22, 2024. in Washington, D.C. / Credit: Samuel Corum/Getty Images

Pope Francis Invokes Blessings on U.S. as Trump Begins Presidency

Pope Francis invoked “an abundance of divine blessings” upon Donald Trump, his family, and “the beloved American people.”

Pope Francis addresses pilgrims gathered for Mass on the solemnity of the Epiphany on Jan. 6, 2025, in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. / Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA

"Disgrace": Pope Francis Condemns Mass Deportation Plans under Donald Trump, Appoints Woman to Lead Vatican Governorate

“If this is true it is a disgrace because it makes the poor unfortunate who have nothing pay the price...

Abbé Pierre, born Henri Marie Joseph Grouès in 1912, was a prominent French Catholic priest. He died in 2007. Allegations of sexual abuse were first publicly reported in 2024. / Credit: Studio Harcourt Paris/Wikimedia (CC BY 3.0)

Catholic Bishops in France Request Criminal Probe into Abuse Claims against Emmaus Founder Abbé Pierre

French bishops request criminal investigation into abuse allegations against Emmaus founder Abbé Pierre following nine new testimonies against the late...

Pope Francis greets new Swiss Guards as they prepare to be sworn in on May 6, 2024, at the Vatican. / Credit: Vatican Media

At Silver Jubilee Pontifical Swiss Guard Foundation, Pope Francis Recognizes Guard’s Patient Service to Vatican Pilgrims

As millions of pilgrims are expected for the jubilee year in Rome, Pope Francis praised the patient service of the...

Pope Francis delivers his Angelus address via a video livestream from his Casa Santa Marta residence within the Vatican due to a cold on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. / Credit: Vatican Media

In Surprise Visit, Pope Francis Lauds Rome Foundation for Supporting Humanitarian Projects Worldwide

Founded on principles of solidarity and subsidiarity, Fondazione Roma is a cornerstone of Italy’s philanthropic landscape.

Pope Francis prays during Mass on the solemnity of the Epiphany on Jan. 6, 2025, in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. / Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis Sends Prayers, Condolences as Los Angeles Battles Wildfires

As wildfires continue to ravage Los Angeles neighborhoods, Pope Francis expressed his spiritual closeness to those affected by the tragedy.

Pope Francis greets pilgrims from his wheelchair during the Saturday jubilee audience in the Vatican’s audience hall, Jan. 11, 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media

"Start anew from God": Pope Francis Welcomes Jubilee Pilgrims at Vatican, Calls for Embracing of Hope as Divine Strength

The virtue of hope holds a divine strength: In his first Saturday Jubilee 2025 audience, Pope Francis reflected on hope...

During his audience with Italian Catholic educators, Pope Francis interacts with a young girl at the Paul VI Audience Hall at the Vatican on Jan. 4, 2025. / Vatican Media

Bullying in Schools "prepares for war, not peace," Pope Francis Tells Catholic Educators

The pontiff repeatedly emphasized his message against bullying, having participants pledge "No bullying!" during the audience.

A Sister of the Missionaries of Charity touches the bronze Holy Door at the papal basilica during its opening for the 2025 Jubilee Year. The religious sister, wearing the distinctive white and blue habit of the order founded by Mother Teresa, joins other faithful in this traditional gesture of devotion as they pass through the ceremonial door on Jan. 1, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

Holy Door Opens at Rome’s Marian Marvel As New Cardinal Highlights Hope at St. Mary Major: PHOTOS

The distinctive dong of an ancient bell accompanied the opening of the Holy Door at Rome’s Basilica of St. Mary...

Pope Francis delivers his homily during the Jan. 1, 2025, Mass at St. Peter's Basilica, marking both the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God and the 58th World Day of Peace. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

Pope Francis Preaches Peace, Protection of Life in New Year’s Homily

“Protecting life, caring for wounded life, restoring dignity to the life of every ‘born of woman’ is the fundamental basis...

Pope Francis speaks to the crowd gathered on St. Peter’s Square, Jan. 1, 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis Ties Debt Forgiveness to Peace in New Year's Angelus

In his first Angelus address of 2025, Pope Francis called for debt relief for the world’s poorest nations and renewed...

Pope Francis prays during his Wednesday general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on Oct. 9, 2024. / Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA

Pope Francis Remembers Jimmy Carter’s "firm commitment" to Peace, Reconciliation

The former president died on Dec. 29 at age 100 after entering hospice care in February 2023.

A wooden crucifix / AC Wimmer / EWTN News

13 Catholic Missionaries and Pastoral Workers Reportedly Killed Worldwide in 2024

The Vatican’s missionary agency documented that five pastoral workers were killed in Africa, five in America, and two priests died...

Pope Francis prays during his general audience on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. / Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis prays for South Korea air crash victims and families

“My thoughts go to the many families in South Korea who are mourning today following the dramatic air accident,” the...

Cardinal Baldassare Reina ceremonially pushes open the Holy Door at St. John Lateran on Dec. 29, 2024. / Credit: Evandro Inetti/EWTN/Vatican Pool

Holy Door of Rome’s Basilica of St. John Lateran Opens as 2025 Jubilee Journey Continues

Cardinal Baldassare Reina, Pope Francis’ vicar for the Diocese of Rome, described the event as “a gesture that renews our...

Pope Francis waves at pilgrims and visitors gathered for the Angelus on Dec. 29, 2024, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. / Credit: Vatican Media

Family Dialogue Defeats Digital Distraction: Pope Francis

“Never, never this,” Francis said about mobile phones at the family table. “Talk, listen to each other, this is the...

Pope Francis leads the Angelus prayer and gives an address from the chapel of Casa Santa Marta on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, at the Vatican. / Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis: How to be "pilgrims of hope" During 2025 Jubilee Year

Pope Francis called on Catholics to become “pilgrims of hope” in a BBC podcast, emphasizing that “hope and kindness touch...