SPIRITED THINKING SINCE 1888
John Cookson

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Odessa bishop claims Putin is “possessed by the Devil”
March 28, 2022
Odessa, Ukraine Bishop Stanislav Shyrokoradiuk pulls no punches when asked about Russian President Putin’s motivation for invading Ukraine. “He’s possessed by the Devil. Putin’s a Satanist, plain and simple,” he says. “How else can you explain what he’s doing to Ukraine?” 66-year old Shyrokoradiuk is Bishop of Odessa and Simferopol. We meet at the magnificently restored Cathedral
“Everything is in God’s hands now,” says Ukrainian priest
March 21, 2022
Lviv, Ukraine. I met with Father Nesto Kysyk the same morning four Russian cruise missiles slammed into a military aircraft hangar on the edge of town.  According to Ukrainian officials no one died in the dawn blitz, but a massive pall of ink black smoke drifted overhead – a shocking reminder to families here in
A year after Pope Francis’s historic visit, Iraq’s Christians face new threats
March 11, 2022
Returning to Iraq, a year after covering Pope Francis's trip, John Cookson asks why the Biden administration is cutting aid to the country's Christians
Iraq’s Christians are still waiting for a miracle
March 07, 2022
A year ago Pope Francis made an historic pilgrimage to Iraq. Journalist John Cookson covered the visit for the Catholic Herald and now he's returned to discover if the papal visit has changed the lives of the country's beleaguered Christians. This is the first of two reports.
Pope Francis in Iraq: A Man on a Mission
March 08, 2021
Pope Francis was a man on a mission, says correspondent John Cookson in Baghdad on Monday morning. The question is: Did he succeed?
Pope Francis in Iraq: Not Your Typical Lenten Sunday
March 07, 2021
The Pope returns to Baghdad and departs for Rome Monday, having wound up what will be seen as a highly successful four-day historic pilgrimage.
Pope Francis in Iraq: Sunday at a Glance
March 07, 2021
Beleaguered Christian communities in the north of Iraq hope today's pilgrimage by the Pope will not only help the healing process but also draw world attention to their continuing persecution.
Pope Francis in Iraq: Historic Meetings on Saturday Stir Hope
March 06, 2021
John Cookson reports from Iraq, on a momentous day of doings in an historic visit to the country by Pope Francis.
Pope Francis meets Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in Iraq
March 06, 2021
Francis and Sistani appear to share some traits, which could mean they’ll get on well going forward. They are close in age - Sistani is 90, Francis is 84 - and men both shun ostentation.
Pope Francis in Iraq: A Joyful Beginning to an Historic Visit
March 05, 2021
Pope Francis ended the first day of his historic trip to Iraq with hymn singing, clapping and white and yellow flowered-garland handed by well wishers shouting: "Long Live the Pope (Viva il papa! In Italian, localised in "Viva La Papa!)" as he entered the Cathedral of Our Lady of Salvation in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.
Pope Francis: At the Presidential Palace in Iraq
March 05, 2021
"It's indescribable," said one worshipper, 53-year-old Martin Scekes, who survived the bombing and decided to stay. Mr. Scekes  told the Catholic Herald: "The Pope coming to see us will lift our hearts."
Pope Francis Arrives in Iraq
March 05, 2021
"It's indescribable," said one worshipper, 53-year-old Martin Scekes, who survived the bombing and decided to stay. Mr. Scekes  told the Catholic Herald: "The Pope coming to see us will lift our hearts."
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