Articles by Courtney Mares
Pope Francis marks 12th anniversary of pontificate and nearly 1 month in the hospital
Mar 13, 2025 / 16:10 pmOn the occasion of the 12th anniversary of his election to the papacy, Pope Francis received hundreds of drawings, messages, and letters from children and well-wishers.
Pope Francis appoints NASA scientist, Chinese biologist to Pontifical Academy of Sciences
Mar 7, 2025 / 09:50 amThe new appointees include Maria Zuber, an American planetary scientist involved in multiple NASA missions, and Meng Anming, a Chinese developmental biologist.
Vatican conference examines artificial intelligence implications for democracy, justice
Mar 5, 2025 / 13:10 pmThe two-day workshop, titled “Artificial Intelligence, Justice, and Democracy,” was hosted by the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences.
Cardinal Chow in tears during prayer for Pope Francis at China’s Sheshan basilica
Mar 4, 2025 / 11:55 am“I was genuinely touched, and I found myself in tears during the prayer,” Chow told the Sunday Examiner, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Hong Kong.
Daily Holy Hour held in hospital where Pope Francis is being treated
Feb 25, 2025 / 16:20 pmDaily Holy Hours are bring held in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital where Pope Francis is being treated as well as at other places throughout the city.
Vatican says Pope Francis shows ‘slight improvement’ on 11th day in hospital
Feb 24, 2025 / 14:35 pmThe 88-year-old pontiff is still receiving oxygen therapy through his nose, though at a slightly reduced flow and concentration, according to the Holy See Press Office.
Can’t make it to Rome? Here are the U.S. locations where you can get a jubilee indulgence
Feb 24, 2025 / 07:00 amHere’s an interactive map that shows many of the pilgrimage sites that have been designated across the U.S. for the jubilee year.
Why the Church has celebrated the Chair of St. Peter feast for 1,600 years
Feb 22, 2025 / 11:00 amEvery year on Feb. 22, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of the Chair of St. Peter, a tradition that dates back more than 1,600 years.
A jubilee spiritual reading list on Christian hope
Feb 22, 2025 / 06:00 amWhether you seek theological depth, poetic beauty, or reflections on hope in suffering, these 13 works provide a rich spiritual journey for the 2025 Jubilee Year.
Pope Francis: Carlo Acutis shows young people ‘the fullness of life’ in Christ
Feb 3, 2025 / 14:20 pmSpeaking to Catholic pilgrims from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland on Feb. 3, the pope shared a special message for young people.
Pope Francis offers condolences after deadly midair collision near Washington, DC
Jan 30, 2025 / 11:15 amThe pope sent a personal message to President Donald Trump on Jan. 30 as search efforts continued in and around the Potomac River where the aircraft crashed.
Elon Musk’s brother pitches jubilee year drone show in Rome
Jan 28, 2025 / 11:30 amKimbal Musk, an entrepreneur, reportedly met with Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri on Jan. 25 to propose a drone-based musical light show for the 2025 Jubilee.
Pope Francis says he’s more concerned about human intelligence than AI
Jan 27, 2025 / 11:35 amSpeaking to Church communications professionals the pope emphasized the need for a human-centered approach to communication.
Vatican secretary of state calls Cuba prisoner release ‘a sign of great hope’
Jan 16, 2025 / 09:30 amCardinal Pietro Parolin also commented on Biden’s commutation of death sentences for 37 death row inmates, expressing hope there will be more “gestures of clemency.”
A look at Vatican City’s new artificial intelligence law
Jan 14, 2025 / 14:00 pmThe decree titled “Guidelines on Artificial Intelligence” was enacted by the Pontifical Commission of Vatican City State and came into effect on Jan. 1.
Sister Clare Crockett’s beatification cause opens in Spain
Jan 13, 2025 / 11:50 amCrockett, who died in a 2016 earthquake in Ecuador at the age of 33, is now titled “servant of God,” the first step in the Catholic Church’s path to sainthood.
PHOTOS: New Jubilee tour of Vatican Gardens at Castel Gandolfo highlights beauty of creation
Jan 11, 2025 / 06:00 amA new tour for Jubilee 2025 of the Vatican Gardens at the pope’s summer palace in Castel Gandolfo aims to bring Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ to life.
American cardinal opens final jubilee Holy Door in Rome
Jan 5, 2025 / 10:42 amPilgrims who visit Rome during the jubilee, a holy year celebrated every 25 years, will have the opportunity to receive a plenary indulgence by passing through the doors.
Pope Francis: Bring hope with a ‘yes to life’ in jubilee year
Jan 5, 2025 / 09:35 am“Let us not be afraid to throw open bright windows of closeness to those who are suffering, of forgiveness, of compassion, and reconciliation,” Pope Francis said.
Pope Francis ‘deeply saddened’ by New Orleans attack, offers prayers
Jan 2, 2025 / 09:40 amThe pope sent a condolence message to New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond on Jan. 2 offering prayers for the souls of the deceased.