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
At the Vatican, Sister Simone Campbell blasts ‘male power’
By Josephine McKenna — March 7, 2017
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The outspoken U.S. nun acknowledged the church was changing but said it was 'outrageous' that it was failing to effectively respond to the sex abuse crisis.
Mother of slain US journalist thanks Pope Francis for support
By Josephine McKenna — March 6, 2017
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Diane Foley said her family had been deeply moved when the pope telephoned them in August 2014 soon after her son James' brutal beheading. She wanted to thank him personally.
Top Vatican cardinal rejects abuse victim’s critique, denies opposing Pope Francis
By Josephine McKenna — March 6, 2017
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Cardinal Gerhard Mueller's remarks may only inflame a controversy that is complicating the pontiff's efforts to fight clergy sex abuse.
Irish abuse victim lashes out at Vatican bureaucracy as she quits panel
By Josephine McKenna — March 1, 2017
ROME (RNS) The departure of Irish abuse survivor Marie Collins is a huge setback for Pope Francis, who established the commission in 2013.
Pope paints a picture of Sweden at odds with Trump’s
By Josephine McKenna — February 28, 2017
VATICAN CITY (RNS) In an interview with a homeless magazine, Pope Francis suggested wealthy nations are partly to blame for the migrant crisis and urged Europeans and others to stand 'in the shoes' of those arriving at their borders.
Steven Spielberg movie to examine notorious Catholic kidnapping of Jewish boy
By Josephine McKenna — February 23, 2017
BOLOGNA, Italy (RNS) The film is certain to cast fresh light on this real-life drama about a 6-year-old forced from his family and raised as a Catholic with the blessing of Pope Pius IX. The child grew up to become a priest.
Oldest Italian nun says love is the secret to life
By Josephine McKenna — February 21, 2017
ROME (RNS) 'Love, love and keep on loving. With joy!' the nun said.
Catholics and Jews mark history of the menorah with first joint show
By Josephine McKenna — February 20, 2017
ROME (RNS) During the Roman Empire the menorah became a strong cultural and religious symbol for Jews, as a joint Vatican and Jewish exhibit points out.
Cardinal Reinhard Marx: Support for the pope is ‘substantial’
By Josephine McKenna — February 15, 2017
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Marx acknowledged there were 'tensions' within the church but stressed differences of opinion always existed.
Pope Francis seeks forgiveness from clergy abuse victims
By Josephine McKenna — February 13, 2017
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The pontiff's comments, and his renewed commitment to hold bishops accountable, came in the preface to a new book by an abuse victim.
Pope Francis admits there’s corruption at the Vatican
By Josephine McKenna — February 9, 2017
VATICAN CITY (RNS) 'I’m at peace,' the pope said. 'If there is a problem, I write a note to St. Joseph and put it under a statue that I have in my room.'
Vatican defends decision to invite China to organ-trafficking summit
By Josephine McKenna — February 8, 2017
(RNS) Critics say that China must be stopped from using organs from executed prisoners.
Pope decries treatment of Rohingya Muslims
By Josephine McKenna — February 8, 2017
(RNS) 'They are good people,' said Pope Francis. 'They are being tortured and killed, simply because they uphold their Muslim faith.'
Australian archbishop: ‘As Catholics we hang our heads in shame’
By Josephine McKenna — February 6, 2017
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Over 4,440 Australians claim to have been victims of church abuse between 1980 and 2015, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse was told.
Trump border wall challenges America’s moral values: Catholic theologian
By Josephine McKenna — February 3, 2017
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The president’s proposed wall with Mexico would hurt the poor the most. says a leading Catholic theologian.
