At the fifth EWTN Summer Academy, 43 young journalists, filmmakers, content creators, and media professionals from 26 countries gathered in Rome for 10 days of intensive formation in journalism, filmmaking, digital media, and the Catholic faith.

Hosted in the heart of the Vatican, the academy combines professional media training with daily Mass, spiritual formation, and encounters with the rich history of the Catholic Church.

In this EWTN Vatican report, hear from participants from the United Kingdom, Ecuador, South Africa, Nigeria, and the United States as they share how the academy transformed both their professional skills and their relationship with God.

In Nazareth at the Basilica of the Annunciation, visit the grotto in the lower church, the precise location where the Archangel Gabriel announced to the Virgin Mary, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.... Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name Jesus.”

Fr. Chris Alar alongside our guides from Nativity Pilgrimage, George Stephan and Tony Azraq, explain the mystery of the incarnation of Jesus Christ, the tremendous significance of Our Lady’s “Yes” to God, and how we know this place was the exact site.

Who Do You Say I AM? is an EWTN Holy Land Digital Pilgrimage Series in partnership with Nativity Pilgrimage.

Journey through the Holy Land to help you answer the question, “Who is Jesus Christ?”

This series is made for you, from the confident believer to the curious skeptic, to provide you with a basic yet profound understanding of the mystery of His divine and human natures as the Messiah and Son of God.

Interested in making the journey? Visit www.nativitypilgrimage.com.

Credits:

Producers: Anthony Johnson, Rudolf Gehrig

Journalist: Rudolf Gehrig

Cinematographer: Patrick Grant

Editor: Anthony Johnson

Narrator: Valentina Di Donato

On Mount Tabor at the Church of the Transfiguration, Fr. Chris Alar alongside our guides from Nativity Pilgrimage, George Stephan and Tony Azraq, reveal how the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ confirmed the answer to the question posed by Jesus to the Apostles, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?

Journey through the Holy Land as we help you answer the question, “Who is Jesus Christ?”

Who Do You Say I AM? is an EWTN Holy Land digital pilgrimage series produced in partnership with Nativity Pilgrimage. We explore the locations where Gospel events took place, using scriptural, cultural, archaeological, and historical evidence to guide our footsteps.

Credits:

Producers: Anthony Johnson, Rudolf Gehrig

Journalist: Rudolf Gehrig

Cinematographer: Patrick Grant

Editor: Anthony Johnson

Narrator: Valentina Di Donato

Credits:
Producers: Anthony Johnson, Rudolf Gehrig
Journalist: Rudolf Gehrig
Cinematographer: Patrick Grant
Editor: Anthony Johnson
Narrator: Valentina Di Donato

Journey through the Holy Land as we help you answer the question, “Who is Jesus Christ?”
Who Do You Say I AM? is an EWTN Holy Land digital pilgrimage series produced in partnership with Nativity Pilgrimage.
In this episode, Fr. Chris Alar presents our itinerary, covering Bethlehem, Nazareth, Mount Tabor, the Sea of Galilee, and Jerusalem. Alongside Jacoub Khaled, CEO of Nativity Pilgrimage, and top Christian guides living in the Holy Land, we explore the locations where Gospel events took place, using cultural, archaeological, and historical evidence to guide our footsteps.
This series is made for everyone, from the confident believer to the curious skeptic, offering a basic yet profound understanding of the mystery of His divine and human natures as the Messiah and Son of God.
Interested in making the journey? Visit www.nativitypilgrimage.com.

YouTube Sources in this Episode:
"Who is Jesus? (NY Street Interviews)" - ChristLife
"Alpha USA VoxPops // Who is Jesus?" - Alpha USA
"Who is Jesus? NYC Street Survey" - ThePropertyRescuers
"Asking Chat GPT is Jesus God or a Prophet?" - Lily Jay

Role: Co-founder and Program Director

What does it take to become a Catholic journalist in today’s digital world?

At the fifth EWTN Summer Academy, 43 young journalists, filmmakers, content creators, and media professionals from 26 countries gathered in Rome for 10 days of intensive formation in journalism, filmmaking, digital media, and the Catholic faith.

Hosted in the heart of the Vatican, the academy combines professional media training with daily Mass, spiritual formation, and encounters with the rich history of the Catholic Church.

In this EWTN Vatican report, hear from participants from the United Kingdom, Ecuador, South Africa, Nigeria, and the United States as they share how the academy transformed both their professional skills and their relationship with God.

Presenter: Paola Arriaza Flynn

Shooters: Alessio Di Cintio and Anthony Johnson

On June 10th, 2026, Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass at the Sagrada Família in Barcelona — becoming only the third Pope to enter the basilica — and blessed the Tower of Jesus Christ, now the tallest church tower in the world. His visit coincides with the 100th anniversary of Antoni Gaudí's death.

In this special report, EWTN Vatican journalist Paola Arriaza Flynn takes you inside one of the most extraordinary buildings in human history: a basilica that has been under construction for over 140 years, and that continues to move millions of visitors to tears, silence, and faith.
We speak with Jordi Faulí, the chief architect leading the final phase of construction, who reveals how Gaudí's original vision is being brought to life — stone by stone. We walk the streets of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter with architect and Gaudí researcher Chiara Curti, retracing the path the architect walked every single day until the tragic accident that took his life in 1926. And we sit down with 94-year-old Father Lluís Bonet, whose father was a direct disciple of Gaudí and who has spent his entire life at the basilica — including the day Pope Benedict XVI consecrated it in 2010.
We also visit a local parish in the shadow of the Sagrada Família, where something unexpected is happening: young people are returning to the faith in growing numbers, drawn by a hunger for meaning in a fast-paced world.

From the crypt where Gaudí is buried, to the forest of stone columns that reach toward the light, to the stained-glass windows that bathe the nave in color — this is the story of a building that is more than architecture. It is a confession of faith in stone.

The Vatican Museums, nestled within the heart of the world’s smallest sovereign state, house a plethora of artistry spanning millennia. However, the work of the patrons extends beyond the grandeur of the galleries; it plunges deep into the underground vaults where many treasures await restoration.

Art and restoration experts are meticulously laboring in the museums’ laboratories, striving to revitalize ancient marble statues, invaluable paintings, mosaics, tapestries, and other artifacts. Their aim is to preserve these pieces for the enrichment of future generations.

While the Vatican Museums welcome between 25,000 to 35,000 daily visitors, ticket sales only partially fund the upkeep of this extensive repository. The patrons’ support is indispensable, especially for the ambitious restoration projects and outreach initiatives that extend the influence of the museums beyond their marble halls.

Embark on a mission in Quito, Ecuador, and witness the everyday struggles but also triumphs of community members at, The Center - A Family of Families, where people strive to break free of the circle of poverty and violence. Meet also the Papal Foundation members who are key benefactors in keeping this dream alive. Watch as volunteers from abroad, local staff, religious, and receivers of this charity help each other to transform lives and build a better future.

Experience the Eternal City with seminarians at the Pontifical North American College as we follow them in their apostolates. In this program you will share in the seminarians' joy and suffering as they evangelize to people in the community from the homeless on the streets, migrants in need of a meal, children receiving the sacraments, and young adults looking for their vocation.

This production consisted of four days of shooting. On the final day, we interviewed key representatives of the Pontifical North American College to give structure and offer understanding to the activities we recorded. These apostolates varied from service to the poor, the homeless, and refugees to catechetical assignments where they teach first communion classes to children and bible study to college students. In addition to these charitable works, we thought it was essential to show that these young men are relatable. We recorded a hobby or talent for each of the featured seminarians.

Deacon Zane in this scene is not only drumming, but providing us covering images to be put over his interview. He compared the parish priest to the drummer in a band because he will be the “baseline that brings all the instruments together and leads them in song”.

Lastly, we must emphasize that this experience occurs in the Eternal City. Their formation here will shape how they lead christians in their dioceses or wherever they will be assigned in the future to serve the people of God.

On the eve of the Olympic Truce—an ancient Greek tradition when city-states would lay down their arms before and during the Games—the Olympic Cross arrived from the Vatican in Milan, where the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games will take place.

This tradition reflects the old idea that people were able to set aside their differences for the sake of allowing athletes to participate in the Games. We take a closer look at the arrival of the Cross and how the local Church will be transformed into the “Church of Athletes” as it enters the Basilica of San Babila.

Meanwhile, Pope Leo sends his best wishes to all those involved in preparing for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Reporter: Paola Arriaza Flynn

Editor: Gian Luca Gangemi

Shooter: Anthony Johnson

Here’s some behind-the-scenes photos during the interviews and recordings around the city!

Find the Church of St. Babila and more Milan sites also on the EWTN Travel App using our digital gps maps!

Join Father John Wauck on a spiritual pilgrimage to the Eternal City of Rome, as we discover the beauty of this historic city and the traces of God left here on earth. Explore the Bernini-designed living Via Crucis, the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem, and the infamous Holy Stairs where Martin Luther had a life-changing experience. Learn about the importance of contrition and penance in achieving salvation and unity with the sufferings of Jesus and his resurrection.

I was the video editor of the news magazine piece.

You can also find the location on the EWTN Travel App.

Night Pilgrims Experience was a reflective and immersive broadcast package that captured the spiritual heart of World Youth Day 2023. Airing during live coverage on EWTN, the piece invited viewers into the pilgrim experience of 1.5 million faithful during the Saturday Vigil, the night before the Sunday morning Mass with the Holy Father.

I served as the producer and editor of piece in collaboration with cinematographer, Patrick Leonard. We delivered the project working after hours to make sure it could air during the morning Live coverage.

I hope you enjoy this timeless piece of Catholic news!

Subscribe now

Order Tickets

The General Audience

The General Audience is held every Wednesday at 9:00 am outdoors at St. Peter’s Square or inside the Pope St. Paul VI Hall depending on the weather and season (year-round except July and August).

The Pope greets participants at the beginning from the pope mobile, offers his catechesis on the day’s gospel reading, and at the end blesses the crowd. The audience lasts anywhere from an hour and a half to two hours.

Here’s a secret: if you are already in Rome and have not made ticket reservations, you can also approach the Swiss Guards next to the stairs at the exit of St. Peter’s Basilica without going through security. Ask the guards politely and tell them how many tickets you need. They carry quite a few with them during the day until they run out.

For all papal events, more tickets are distributed than seats. If the audience is set to take place inside the Pope St. Paul VI Hall, be sure to arrive early around 8:00 am to guarantee that you will not be denied entry. The security entrance for this location is on the left side of side of St. Peter’s Square at the “Sant’Uffizio” gate. For General Audiences in St. Peter’s Square, late arrivals without tickets are usually permitted, but all seats will most likely be occupied and you will need to stand.

Keep this in mind: you can get front row seats, an opportunity to meet the Pope, and have a photo taken with him if you are a newlywed couple (sposi novelli)... or in other cases by making a written request if you are someone with special needs or a foreign dignitary.

After the papal event, visit www.vatican.va for a full transcript of the Holy Father’s homily in your language or follow EWTN and Catholic News Agency on social media for highlights and key takeaways from the Holy Father’s message.

This film presents the important and unique work of the Don Bosco Center in the "Berlin diaspora."

Great hardship in bitter cold

But it’s not just about food and nutrition. Homeless people need sleeping bags, warm clothing, and blankets so they don’t freeze to death on the bitterly cold winter nights in St. Pauli. That’s why the Alimaus’s “cold weather bus” is currently out on Hamburg’s streets night after night. It brings the homeless the much-needed warming items and, if necessary, takes them to emergency shelters for the night. For now. Because this mobile aid service also costs money, which is becoming increasingly scarce, especially at this time of year.

Medical care

The medical services provided by Alimaus have also reached their limits. The mobile health clinic, another service offered by the Catholic organization, provides emergency medical care every Sunday to homeless and needy people without health insurance at Hamburg’s main train station and on the Reeperbahn, staffed by a team of volunteer doctors and nurses. However, the urgently needed medications, such as asthma inhalers or antibiotics, which the mobile clinic supplies to those in need, cost money that Alimaus is increasingly lacking. Despite this, the volunteer medical helpers are highly motivated.

Recognizing and supporting valuable work

Help for homeless people in the Altona district remains urgently needed in all areas. As early as 10 a.m., the first guests are already waiting in front of the red entrance door at Nobistor 42 in Hamburg, ready to receive one of these packed lunches starting at noon. For many, it is their first and only meal of the day. There could hardly be a more compelling demonstration of the extent of the need. This valuable work deserves recognition and support, not just at Christmas.

Article translated from German to English from https://www.bonifatiuswerk.de/de/projekte/alimaus-hamburg/

Translation of Official Description provided by Bonifatiuswerk’s webpage about the initiative.

Go behind the monastery walls to see the sisters’ daily life of contemplation, their music ministry, and their mission of intercessory prayer that reaches hearts across the world. From candle-making and sacred music to their dream of expanding the monastery for aging sisters, this video reveals how simplicity, faith, and love can transform lives.

I directed and edited this short documentary sponsored by EWTN and Bonifatiuswerk to call attention to the life, oppportunities, and challenges faced by Catholics in the Diaspora regions of Northern Europe. Director of Photography: Alessio Di Cintio

I am a Co-Founder of the EWTN Summer Academy and serve as Program Director organizing the curriculum, inviting VIP Guest speakers, and teaching practical workshops so that every participant has a fully rounded learning experience. Applications are due mid-January every year!

Exodus 90 also commences this week officially marking exactly 90 days until Easter Sunday.A huge shoutout to Eelis Lampola who shot and edited this behind the scenes video plus the final twenty episodes of the program, Pål Johannes Nes, the Director of EWTN Norway, and Jamie Baxter and Doyle Baxter of Exodus 90!