Articles by Courtney Mares
Pope Francis to be buried at St. Mary Major Basilica following Saturday funeral
Apr 22, 2025 / 04:53 amIn accordance with his personal wishes, Pope Francis will not be buried in the Vatican grottoes but instead at the Basilica of St. Mary Major.
Vatican postpones Carlo Acutis canonization following Pope Francis’ death
Apr 21, 2025 / 08:20 amThe Vatican announced Monday that the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis has been postponed following the death of Pope Francis.
Pope Francis in Easter Vigil homily: Christ is the ‘turning point’ in human history
Apr 19, 2025 / 15:15 pm“It falls to us to proclaim this Easter hope, this ‘turning point’ where darkness becomes light,” the pope wrote in the homily, delivered by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re.
Pope Francis makes surprise visit to Regina Coeli prison on Holy Thursday
Apr 17, 2025 / 12:30 pmAccording to the Vatican, the pope met with approximately 70 inmates who regularly participate in activities and catechesis organized by prison’s chaplaincy.
More than 1,800 priests celebrate Holy Thursday chrism Mass at Vatican
Apr 17, 2025 / 05:35 amOn Holy Thursday, more than 1,880 priests, bishops, and cardinals renewed the promises made at their ordinations during the chrism Mass inside St. Peter’s Basilica.
Pope Francis declares Sagrada Familia basilica architect Antoni Gaudí ‘venerable’
Apr 14, 2025 / 10:30 amPope Francis on Monday declared Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí “venerable,” bringing the designer of Barcelona’s iconic Sagrada Familia basilica closer to sainthood.
Vatican offers health update after Pope Francis’ surprise visit to basilica without papal attire
Apr 11, 2025 / 09:38 amA Vatican spokesman told journalists the pope had wanted to get some air and then decided to extend his time outside of his residence by going to the basilica “as he was.”
The other Charles in Rome: ‘Bonnie Prince Charlie’ is buried in St. Peter’s Basilica
Apr 9, 2025 / 15:07 pm“Bonnie Prince Charlie” — the ill-fated Catholic Stuart claimant to the British throne — is entombed in marble splendor within St. Peter’s Basilica.
Pope Francis appoints Bishop Lewandowski as new bishop of Providence, Rhode Island
Apr 8, 2025 / 09:40 amBishop Bruce Lewandowski, 57, currently serves as an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. He will be installed in Providence on May 20.
China’s new religious restrictions severely limit foreign missionary activity
Apr 3, 2025 / 13:30 pmAccording to the regulations, “collective religious activities organized by foreigners in China are restricted to foreign participants only” with few exceptions.
Pope Francis sends condolences after South Korea wildfires destroy thousands of homes
Mar 28, 2025 / 15:25 pmPope Francis has expressed his sorrow for the victims of the devastating wildfires in South Korea, which killed 28 people and forced tens of thousands to evacuate.
Pope Francis prays for Myanmar, Thailand after deadly earthquake
Mar 28, 2025 / 13:15 pmPope Francis sent his condolences to Church and civil authorities in Myanmar and Thailand after a powerful earthquake killed more than 150 people.
Italian prosecutors investigate illegal sale of apparent Carlo Acutis relics online
Mar 27, 2025 / 16:25 pmThe investigation by the Perugia Public Prosecutor’s Office was prompted by a complaint by the bishop of Assisi, the city where Acutis’ tomb is located for public veneration.
A Vatican video game? New Minecraft edition has students restore St. Peter’s Basilica
Mar 19, 2025 / 13:45 pmMicrosoft and the Vatican unveiled the game, “Peter Is Here: AI for Cultural Heritage,” at a press event in Rome on March 18.
‘Go to Joseph’: What popes from Blessed Pius IX to Pope Francis have said about St. Joseph
Mar 19, 2025 / 04:00 amFrom Blessed Pius IX to Francis, popes have underlined the importance of devotion to St. Joseph, husband of Mary.
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.