Josephine McKenna
Josephine McKenna has more than 30 years' experience in print, broadcast and interactive media. Based in Rome since 2007, she covered the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and election of Pope Francis and canonizations of their predecessors. Now she covers all things Vatican for RNS.
All Stories by Josephine McKenna
Pope Francis eyes religious reconciliation on trip to Holy Land
By Josephine McKenna — May 21, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The three-day visit is packed with official appointments and a grueling physical schedule for the 77-year-old pontiff.
Cardinal seeks a truce in fight between U.S. nuns and Vatican’s doctrinal office
By Josephine McKenna — May 20, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) While the Vatican's investigation into American nuns falls under the doctrinal office, Cardinal Joao Braz de Aviz's congregation on religious orders is seen as more sympathetic to the sisters and has tried to serve as a peace broker in the standoff.
Vatican’s financial watchdog reports ‘notable’ spike in shady transactions
By Josephine McKenna — May 19, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The numbers, while intriguing, are more notable for the fact that they are being released at all.
Vatican says no movement (yet) on sainthood for Oscar Romero
By Josephine McKenna — May 15, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Fans of slain Archbishop Oscar Romero want Pope Francis to declare him a martyr and place him on the path to sainthood, but Vatican officials say no official action has been taken yet.
Pope Francis will take rabbi and Muslim leader with him to Holy Land
By Josephine McKenna — May 15, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Rabbi Abraham Skorka and Muslim leader Omar Abboud will accompany the pope on his May 24-26 trip, which will include Jordan, the West Bank and Israel.
Antonio Banderas may be cast as Pope Francis in biopic
By Josephine McKenna — May 14, 2014
ROME (RNS) Italian director Daniele Luchetti plans to make the $12 million Spanish language film, titled “Call Me Francesco,” with producer Pietro Valsecchi, who has made some of Italy’s highest-grossing movies.
Pope Paul VI to be beatified this fall: Will one miracle be sign of sainthood?
By Josephine McKenna — May 12, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Paul VI was elected in 1963 and implemented the reforms started by his predecessor, John XXIII, with the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965).
Vatican calls for release of kidnapped Nigerian girls
By Josephine McKenna — May 8, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) “The denial of any kind of respect for life and for the dignity of human beings, even the most innocent, vulnerable and defenseless, calls for the strongest condemnation,” the Vatican's chief spokesman said.
Nigerian cardinal: Schoolgirls’ abduction is shameful
By Josephine McKenna — May 7, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) “We are all ashamed, terribly ashamed,” said Cardinal John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan, the archbishop of Abuja, in an interview aired on Vatican Radio.
Vatican defends record on sexual abuse to UN panel
By Josephine McKenna — May 6, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) “Any serious look around the world at what the Holy See is doing and what local churches are doing shows clearly that there is no climate of impunity but a total commitment to clean house," Archbishop Silvano Tomasi said.
Vatican could face flood of torture-related abuse lawsuits
By Josephine McKenna — May 5, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Vatican's ambassador to U.N. agencies in Geneva sought to limit the Holy See’s legal responsibility for the abuse scandal, implying that the church's jurisdiction did not extend to dioceses and churches around the world.
Cardinal Sean O’Malley on sexual abuse crisis: ‘There is so much denial’
By Josephine McKenna — May 3, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) “In many people’s minds it is an American problem, an Irish problem or a German problem," said Cardinal Sean O'Malley of Boston referring to the sex abuse scandal. "The church has to face it is everywhere in the world. There is so much denial."
Vatican to UN: Don’t equate sexual abuse of minors with torture
By Josephine McKenna — May 2, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Rev. Federico Lombardi, the Vatican's chief spokesman, urged the U.N. committee to resist pressure to include the sexual abuse of minors in a discussion about torture.
Victims demand action as Vatican abuse panel gets down to work
By Josephine McKenna — April 30, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Vatican's new commission for the protection of minors, led by Boston Cardinal Sean O’Malley, is designed to show the pope’s personal commitment to confront the sex scandals that have shaken the church around the world.
Vatican says bureaucratic reforms won’t happen until 2015
By Josephine McKenna — April 29, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) "There is much work ahead, so we can expect it to be done not this year but the next," said the Vatican's chief spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi.
