Articles by Courtney Mares
Pope Francis urges ‘an immediate cease-fire in Gaza’ that frees hostages, grants aid
Mar 3, 2024 / 09:25 amIn his Angelus address on March 3, the pope made an emotional plea for a deal that both frees the hostages and grants humanitarian aid.
Here is Pope Francis’ schedule for Holy Week and Easter 2024 at the Vatican
Feb 29, 2024 / 12:10 pmThe schedule includes five papal liturgies, Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum, and other traditions to mark the most sacred week of the year.
Relic of martyr killed by Mafia to be used in prison ministry in Naples
Feb 29, 2024 / 09:15 amThe relics of Blessed Rosario Livatino, a Catholic judge brutally killed by the mafia in 1990, will be brought to a prison in Naples on Saturday.
Pope Francis visits hospital for diagnostic tests after Wednesday audience
Feb 28, 2024 / 07:43 am“Dear brothers and sisters, I still have a bit of a cold,” Pope Francis said in a soft-spoken voice on Feb. 28.
PHOTOS: Restoration of Bernini’s baldacchino begins in St. Peter’s Basilica
Feb 27, 2024 / 09:00 amWorkers will scale the scaffolding surrounding the 92-feet-high canopy each day to meticulously clean the dust and grime that has darkened the baldacchino.
Pope Francis cancels Saturday audiences due to a mild flu, Vatican says
Feb 24, 2024 / 07:46 amThe cancellation comes after Pope Francis concluded a five-day Lenten retreat at his Vatican residence.
Pope Francis launches study groups to analyze Synod on Synodality’s key issues
Feb 17, 2024 / 10:01 amThe Vatican announced Saturday that Pope Francis has launched synodal study groups to analyze key issues ahead of October’s Synod on Synodality assembly.
Vatican hosts veneration of relics of 21 Coptic martyrs of Libya on first feast day
Feb 15, 2024 / 09:03 amThe relics of 21 Coptic martyrs killed by ISIS in Libya will be venerated in St. Peter’s Basilica on Thursday evening.
Pope Francis on Ash Wednesday: ‘Let us return to God with all our heart’
Feb 14, 2024 / 12:15 pmThe Lord is inviting us to “remove the masks we so often wear” and to see ourselves as we truly are in the sight of God, the pope said in his Ash Wednesday homily.
Pope Francis to visit prestigious Venice Biennale art exhibition
Feb 14, 2024 / 09:20 amThe Holy Father will be the first pope to visit the major art event when he travels to the “city of canals” April 28.
Pope Francis appoints Father James Ruggieri as bishop of Portland, Maine
Feb 13, 2024 / 09:00 amThe Vatican announced on Feb. 13 that the 56-year-old priest from Providence, Rhode Island, will be ordained as the bishop of Maine’s only diocese.
Pope Francis on Our Lady of Lourdes feast: The Church is close to all who are sick or frail
Feb 11, 2024 / 10:00 amIn his Angelus address, the pope asked people to reflect on what they have done to help the sick and the suffering.
Pope Francis canonizes Argentina’s first female saint
Feb 11, 2024 / 08:15 amPope Francis praised the Argentine saint as “a model of apostolic fervor and boldness” for traveling “thousands of miles on foot” to bring people to God.
What if you do not receive a physical healing at Lourdes?
Feb 10, 2024 / 07:00 amWhat about the millions who come to the Lourdes Grotto and leave without receiving a miraculous physical healing?
Pope Francis: ‘It is never too late to take action’ against human trafficking
Feb 8, 2024 / 12:15 pmThe pope established the International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking 10 years ago to coincide with the feast of St. Josephine Bakhita.
Exclusive: Lourdes bishop hopes to make decision on Rupnik mosaics by spring
Feb 5, 2024 / 06:00 amThe bishop says he has heard from Catholics all over the world as he considers whether to remove the shrine’s mosaics by Father Marko Rupnik.
Synod on Synodality organizers invite 300 parish priests to a listening session in Rome
Feb 3, 2024 / 10:30 amSynod on Synodality organizers are inviting 300 parish priests to come to Rome for a meeting of “listening, prayer, and discernment.”
Vatican doctrine office releases note on discerning the validity of the sacraments
Feb 3, 2024 / 09:21 amThe new document signed by Pope Francis and Cardinal Victor Fernández is titled “Gestis Verbisque,” or “Deeds and Words.”
Pope Francis urges consecrated men and women to cultivate ‘an intense interior life’
Feb 2, 2024 / 13:55 pmThe Holy Father presided over Mass on Feb. 2 for the feast of the Presentation of the Lord in St. Peter’s Basilica.
Ireland celebrates 1,500th anniversary of St. Brigid’s death
Feb 1, 2024 / 06:00 amOn Thursday, Ireland celebrates the 1,500th anniversary of the death of St. Brigid of Kildare, the Emerald Isle’s female patron saint.