Cripsian Balmer is a reporter for Reuters.

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Pope Francis Urges End to Violence in Israel and Gaza, Prays for Victims

by Crispian Balmer, Reuters 10-09-2023

Pope Francis speaks during the First General Congregation of the Synod at the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, Oct. 4, 2023. Vatican Media/­Handout via REUTERS

Pope Francis called for an end to attacks and violence in Israel and Gaza on Sunday, saying terrorism and war would not solve any problems, but only bring further suffering and death to innocent people.

Pope Francis Hospitalized Due to Respiratory Infection

by Crispian Balmer, Reuters 03-29-2023

Pope Francis speaks during a general audience at St Peter’s Square, Vatican City, March, 29, 2023. Vatican Media/Handout via REUTERS

Pope Francis has a respiratory infection and will need to spend “a few days” in hospital for treatment, the Vatican said in a statement on Wednesday

Let Us Learn To Take a Break, Says Pope After Hospital Stay

by Crispian Balmer, Reuters 07-19-2021
Pope Francis leads prayer from his window at the Vatican on July 18, 2021 following intestinal surgery. REUTERS/Remo Casilli

Pope Francis leads prayer from his window at the Vatican on July 18, 2021 following intestinal surgery. REUTERS/Remo Casilli

“Let us put a halt to the frantic running around dictated by our agendas. Let us learn how to take a break, to turn off the mobile phone,” Pope Francis said in his weekly address from a window overlooking St. Peter’s Square.

In New Year's Message, Pope Bemoans Disjointed World

by Crispian Balmer, Reuters 01-02-2019

Pope Francis on World Day of Peace in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Jan. 1, 2019. REUTERS/Tony Gentile

Pope Francis, in his first message of the new year on Tuesday, bemoaned a lack of unity across the world, and warned against a soulless hunt for profit that benefits only a few.

Pope Condemns Militant Attacks, Says Killers Abuse Name of God

by Crispian Balmer, Reuters 11-01-2017

Image via Reuters/Alessandro Bianchi.

"I am profoundly saddened by the terrorist attacks in these recent days in Somalia, Afghanistan, and yesterday in New York," the pope said in an address to mark All Saints' Day, adding that he was praying for the victims and their families.

Pope Francis Heads to Egypt with Christians in Retreat Across Middle East

by Crispian Balmer, Reuters 04-27-2017

Pope Francis gestures as he leaves at the end of the Wednesday general audience in Saint Peter's square at the Vatican, April 26. REUTERS/Tony Gentile

Pope Francis flies to Cairo on Friday, less than a month after church bombings killed 45 people in two Egyptian cities as part of a concerted campaign by Islamist militants to rid the Middle East of Christians. Home to some of the faith's earliest churches, the region's Christian communities have been in decline for decades, but wars this century in Iraq and Syria, and the emergence of Islamic State have put their future in doubt.