Overview
- Woelki, in an interview carried Monday by German outlets, said the 'bad atmosphere' in the Archdiocese of Cologne is over.
- He cited frequent parish visits and interest from young people as signs of a new start for the church in Cologne.
- He called current talk about refugees 'simply terrible' and opposed cuts to integration classes that teach language and civics to newcomers.
- His remarks come after Pope Francis in 2021 faulted his communication and ordered a five-month leave during disputes with key diocesan bodies.
- Coverage differed, with some reports noting his past reprimand and others framing his message as a self-declared end to years of scandal in one of Germany's largest dioceses.