Courtney Mares

Courtney Mares

Courtney Mares is a Rome Correspondent for Catholic News Agency. A graduate of Harvard University, she has reported from news bureaus on three continents and was awarded the Gardner Fellowship for her work with North Korean refugees. She is the author of “Blessed Carlo Acutis: A Saint in Sneakers” (Ignatius, 2023), https://ignatius.com/carlo-acutis-sscap/.

Articles by Courtney Mares

Pope Francis declares French Martyrs of Compiègne saints via equipollent canonization

Dec 18, 2024 / 11:17 am

Mother Teresa of St. Augustine and her 15 companions, who were guillotined in Paris as they sang hymns of praise, are now saints in the Catholic Church.

Living Advent with hope and charity: lessons from Mother Teresa’s sisters

Dec 16, 2024 / 14:30 pm

For the Missionaries of Charity, whose charism is to serve “the poorest of the poor,” Advent isn’t just for a liturgical season — it is a way of life.

How could the Holy House of Mary in Nazareth have ended up in Loreto, Italy?

Dec 10, 2024 / 04:00 am

Catholic pilgrims have flocked to the Holy House of Loreto since the 14th century to stand inside the walls where tradition holds the Virgin Mary was born.

Vatican could reportedly restrict Latin Mass for Chartres pilgrimage, French media claims

Dec 6, 2024 / 09:55 am

The three-day walking pilgrimage from Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris to the Chartres over Pentecost weekend culminates in a massive Latin Mass.

Scientists and CEOs share big ideas at Vatican ethical innovation summit

Nov 27, 2024 / 13:35 pm

This week's World Changers Ethical & Innovation Summit at the Vatican's Pontifical Lateran University showcased groundbreaking ideas for innovation in various fields.

Here is the miracle that now paves the way for Pier Giorgio Frassati’s canonization

Nov 25, 2024 / 12:45 pm

Pier Giorgio Frassati, who died at age 24 in 1925, is beloved by many Catholic young people today for his enthusiastic witness to holiness that reaches “to the heights.”

Pope Francis announces 2025 canonizations for Carlo Acutis, Pier Giorgio Frassati

Nov 20, 2024 / 05:58 am

The surprise announcement came at the conclusion of the pope’s weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square as Francis celebrated World Children’s Day.

Cardinals test out virtual reality headsets at new AI-inspired jubilee art exhibit

Nov 14, 2024 / 13:50 pm

The exhibit, titled “Interconnected Hearts: Taiwan Contemporary Art Exhibition 2024,” is hosted at the Republic of China’s Embassy to the Holy See.

PHOTOS: Discover the history of St. Peter’s Basilica in new Microsoft online AI-enhanced 3D model

Nov 13, 2024 / 12:35 pm

Accessible worldwide at virtual.basilicasanpietro.va, the free interactive platform allows anyone in the world to “visit” the virtual 3D model of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Historic ‘Chair of St. Peter’ on public display in Vatican basilica for first time in 150 years

Nov 9, 2024 / 06:00 am

The relic dispayed just above the tomb of St. Peter will be accessible for public viewing until Dec. 8, the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.

Microsoft president to unveil ‘AI-enhanced experience’ of St. Peter’s Basilica

Nov 8, 2024 / 06:00 am

“The Basilica of St. Peter’s: AI-Enhanced Experience” is a collaboration between Microsoft and the Fabric of St. Peter.

‘Dilexit Nos’: wisdom from 20 saints on the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Nov 1, 2024 / 04:00 am

“Dilexit Nos,” meaning “He Loved Us,” describes how devotion to the heart of Christ “reappears in the spiritual journey of many saints.”

Vatican publishes first report on Church safeguarding efforts worldwide

Oct 29, 2024 / 10:00 am

The 50-page report by the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors is the first in an annual series that aims to provide analysis of safeguarding measures.

Meet ‘Luce’: The Vatican’s cartoon mascot for Jubilee 2025

Oct 28, 2024 / 12:55 pm

The mascot, named Luce — which means “light” in Italian — is intended to engage a younger audience and guide visitors through the holy year. 

Pope Francis in Angelus address mourns Catholic priest murdered in Mexico

Oct 27, 2024 / 11:40 am

The pope called the slain priest “a zealous servant of the Gospel and God’s faithful people” and said he joined the local diocese in Mexico in mourning his loss.

In synod closing Mass, Pope Francis calls for ‘a Church that hears the cry of the world’

Oct 27, 2024 / 08:55 am

At the Synod on Synodality closing Mass on Sunday, Pope Francis said that a synodal Church must be “on the move” following Christ in serving those in need.

Tokyo’s new cardinal shares what he is looking for in the next pope

Oct 26, 2024 / 06:00 am

“If a conclave happens very soon, I think what we need is somebody to succeed the policy of Pope Francis,” Cardinal-elect Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi said.

Dilexit Nos: 7 takeaways from Pope Francis’ new encyclical on the Sacred Heart

Oct 25, 2024 / 15:20 pm

The encyclical, issued on Oct. 24, examines the transformative power of Jesus’ heart as a font of healing for a divided world.

Vatican-China bishop deal renewed for four more years

Oct 22, 2024 / 08:53 am

The renewal comes days after a report from the Hudson Institute detailed how seven Catholic bishops in China have been detained without due process.

Persecution of 10 Catholic bishops in China intensified after Vatican-China deal, report says

Oct 21, 2024 / 16:30 pm

A new report by religious freedom advocate Nina Shea for the Hudson Institute sheds light on the repression faced by 10 Catholic bishops in China.