Articles by Courtney Mares
Victim of Istanbul attack was a Muslim who often went to Catholic Mass
Jan 31, 2024 / 10:10 amThe sole victim of Sunday’s attack on a Catholic church in Istanbul was a Muslim man who regularly attended Mass, according to his relatives.
Pope Francis creates ‘new’ diocese in China, accepting borders drawn by Beijing
Jan 29, 2024 / 13:40 pmThe Holy See Press Office said Pope Francis established the diocese on April 20, 2023, “in the desire to promote the pastoral care of the Lord’s flock.”
Islamic State claims responsibility for attack on Catholic church in Istanbul
Jan 29, 2024 / 07:27 amTwo suspects described as members of the Islamic State group have been arrested following the shooting at Santa Maria Church in Istanbul’s Sariyer district.
Pope Francis: ‘The devil always takes away your freedom’
Jan 28, 2024 / 12:18 pmPope Francis encouraged people to learn how to “say ‘no’ to the temptations of evil before they creep into the soul” by invoking the name of Jesus.
One person killed in shooting at Catholic church in Istanbul, manhunt underway
Jan 28, 2024 / 06:53 amBishop Massimiliano Palinuro, the apostolic vicar of Istanbul, told EWTN News on Jan. 28 that a parishioner was killed “during the consecration.”
Pope Francis thanks Vatican journalists for reporting on scandals in the Church
Jan 22, 2024 / 11:30 amJournalists accredited to the Holy See Press Office met the pope in a private audience at the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace on Jan. 22.
Pope Francis calls for release of 6 religious sisters taken hostage in Haiti
Jan 21, 2024 / 11:05 amArmed gunmen took the religious sisters hostage in Port-au-Prince on Friday during a bus hijacking.
Pope Francis announces Year of Prayer to prepare for 2025 Jubilee
Jan 21, 2024 / 10:00 amIn his Angelus address, the pope said that a Year of Prayer starting Jan. 21 will be “a year dedicated to rediscovering the great value and absolute need for prayer.”
Pope Francis: Return to God’s word rather than social media’s ‘violence of words’
Jan 21, 2024 / 08:00 amSpeaking of the “immense power” that the word of God can unleash in people’s lives, Pope Francis encouraged us to always “have the Gospel within easy reach.”
Could Pope Francis become the first pope to visit Vietnam?
Jan 18, 2024 / 15:13 pmVietnam has one of the largest Catholic populations among countries never visited by a pope. Pope Francis is keen to visit the Southeast Asian country.
PHOTOS: Animals blessed in St. Peter’s Square for feast of St. Anthony Abbot
Jan 17, 2024 / 14:00 pmOn the feast of the co-patron saint of animals, the Vatican welcomed animals large and small to be blessed by Cardinal Mauro Gambetti.
Pope Francis issues new regulations setting spending limits for Vatican offices
Jan 17, 2024 / 12:50 pmPope Francis amended the Vatican’s financial regulations on Tuesday, enshrining a spending limit into law.
Pope Francis: ‘I like to think of hell as empty’
Jan 15, 2024 / 13:05 pmPope Francis appeared on Italy’s most popular prime-time talk show on Sunday night where the pontiff shared how he hopes that hell is “empty.”
Pope Francis responds to resistance to Fiducia Supplicans: ‘The Lord blesses everyone’
Jan 15, 2024 / 09:37 amPope Francis responded publicly to questions about the Vatican’s declaration on blessings for same-sex couples for the first time in a television interview on Sunday night.
Pope Francis: ‘War itself is a crime against humanity’
Jan 14, 2024 / 08:45 amSpeaking at the end of his Angelus address, the pope urged people to pray for all who are suffering due to “the cruelty of war.”
Vatican announces major restoration project in St. Peter’s Basilica
Jan 11, 2024 / 13:15 pmThe Vatican announced on Thursday that the soaring baldacchino over the main altar of St. Peter’s Basilica will undergo a major restoration.
Pope Francis confirms new head of Syro-Malabar Catholic Church
Jan 10, 2024 / 10:15 amPope Francis has confirmed a new head of the Syro-Malabar Church, the largest Eastern Catholic church in India.
Vatican official says Church should allow married priests
Jan 8, 2024 / 12:13 pmArchbishop Charles Scicluna said that the Church should learn from the Eastern Churches, which allow married men the option to get ordained to the priesthood.
Pope Francis calls surrogacy ‘deplorable,’ calls for global ban in speech to ambassadors
Jan 8, 2024 / 08:55 amPope Francis called surrogacy “deplorable” and called for a global ban on the exploitative practice of “so-called surrogate motherhood.”
Pope Francis: If you don’t know the date of your baptism, look it up
Jan 7, 2024 / 10:04 amSpeaking from the window of the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace, the pope said Jan. 7 that the anniversary of one’s baptism should be celebrated each year “like a birthday.”