Anne Van Merris, Author at ZENIT

Anne van Merris is a French journalist trained at the Robert Schuman European Institute of Journalism in Brussels. She has worked in communications for the Catholic Church and in sales within the private sector. She is married and a mother of four.

Articles By Anne Van Merris

Local Church

Here Are the Church’s Figures the Pope Will Find in France: The Vatican Publishes Statistics Revealing Trends from 1980 to 2026

these figures illustrate the evolution of the Church in the country, which welcomed Saint John Paul II in 1980 and is now receiving Pope Leo XIV

Sep 23, 2026 11:29

Anne Van Merris

Local Church•Pope Leo XIV

The Art of Caring for the Pope’s Liturgy: How the Vestments for Pope Leo XIV’s Masses in France Were Made

Companies, artisans, social integration workshops, religious communities, and numerous volunteers mobilized across various regions of France to create albs, stoles, altar cloths, crosses, and various liturgical ornaments and furnishings.

Sep 23, 2026 11:24

Anne Van Merris

Cardinals and Bishops•Interview•Local Church

Interview with Cardinal Ignace Bessi Dogbo, Archbishop of Abidjan, Ivory Coast

After actively participating in the 2023 and 2024 Synods, he was created a Cardinal by Pope Francis in December 2024, prior to participating in his first Conclave in May 2025. His six years at the helm of the Episcopal Conference of Ivory Coast also provided a privileged perspective on the Church in his country and, more broadly, on the reality of the Church in Africa.

Sep 16, 2026 19:06

Anne Van Merris

Local Church

Is a Catholic Funeral for a Freemason Permissible? Three Recent Cases, Two Types of Responses

The Archbishop did not celebrate a Mass in the strict sense, contrary to reports by most media outlets, a fact confirmed by the Diocese of Dijon. Archbishop Hérouard simply presided over a ceremony without a Eucharistic celebration, attended by numerous political figures, including Freemasons and, notably, President Emmanuel Macron.

Sep 10, 2026 10:50

Anne Van Merris

Interview

Days Before the Pope’s Visit to UNESCO, ZENIT Interviews the Holy See’s Permanent Observer to the UN Institution

The pattern of donations has been particularly striking. The average donation has hovered around 200 euros — approximately double the average individual donation in France in 2024 — and some contributions have exceeded 10,000 euros.

Sep 08, 2026 08:39

Anne Van Merris

Good News•Local Church

Paris: Christ’s Passion Tunic to Be Displayed During Pope Leo XIV’s Visit

The Holy Tunic is generally exhibited only once every 50 years.

Sep 03, 2026 08:47

Anne Van Merris

Cardinals and Bishops•Holy Land•Interview

«Hope Should Not Be Confused with a Solution»: ZENIT’s Interview with Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem

Interview with Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Cardinal Patriarch of Jerusalem

Jun 18, 2026 08:14

Anne Van Merris

Cardinals and Bishops•Interview

Why Is the Pope Going to Lebanon? What Is the Dialogue with Muslims Like? And What Is the Role of Charles de Foucauld? ZENIT’s Interview with the Cardinal of Algeria

To better understand the Catholic Church in Algeria and the implications of the Holy Father’s Apostolic Visit, ZENIT interviewed Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco, Archbishop of Algiers, who has resided in the country for more than 22 years.

Apr 11, 2026 19:37

Anne Van Merris

Pope Leo XIV appears in a scene from Chris Pratt’s new movie about St. Peter

Pratt described the opportunity to work with the Pope and the Vatican as an extraordinary honor, expressing gratitude for the trust and access granted to the production. He said St. Peter’s story remains fundamental to Christian faith and that he was grateful to help bring the apostle’s legacy to the screen.

Leo XIV’s Health: What Is Known and Said at the Vatican Regarding the Pope’s Health and the Initial Consequences of His Hospital Admission.

The pulmonary growth was discovered following tests performed at the Gemelli-Isola facility, initially intended to investigate what was considered a possible inflammation. According to information provided by the Vatican, the check-up was not prompted by a specific health issue but was a routine medical examination.