John Cookson, Author at Catholic Herald

John Cookson

Persecution of the faithful: the greatest story never told

July 08, 2022

Peninah was only 24-years-old when her husband Paul was murdered by Al-Shabaab terrorists in Kenya. Attackers with Kalashnikovs, lined the men up in the street and demanded they recite sections of the Koran. Paul was a Christian and they shot him. In Afghanistan, the Taliban dragged Zabi’s 60-year-old Christian father away into the night. After

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."

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