Articles by Courtney Mares
Vatican doctrine office encourages single mothers to receive Communion after confession
Dec 14, 2023 / 13:50 pmThe Vatican’s doctrine office published a letter on Thursday confirming that single mothers can receive Communion after going to confession.
Pope Francis recognizes miracle attributed to St. Teresa of Ávila’s spiritual daughter
Dec 14, 2023 / 10:55 amIn a decree signed Dec. 14, Pope Francis authorized the beatification of Ana de Lobera y Torres, better known by her religious name Sister Ana de Jesús.
Pope Francis says that he wants to be buried in Marian basilica in new interview
Dec 13, 2023 / 10:10 amPope Francis has said that he wants to be buried in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome because of his devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
PHOTOS: Pope Francis honors Virgin Mary on solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
Dec 8, 2023 / 13:30 pmPope Francis prayed in front of a statue of the Immaculate Conception near Rome’s Spanish Steps, which sits atop a nearly 40-foot-high column.
Pope Francis announces Catholic Church’s first World Day of Children
Dec 8, 2023 / 07:45 amThe event was inspired by a 9-year-old boy named Alessandro, who proposed the idea to the pope to have an international event for younger children.
Pope Francis reads speeches unassisted for the first time in nearly two weeks
Dec 7, 2023 / 11:16 amThe pope seemed to show improvement Thursday by reading out his speeches during his various meetings on Dec. 7.
Pope Francis’ cardinal advisers hear from 2 female professors on women’s role in the Church
Dec 7, 2023 / 10:45 amThe pope’s Council of Cardinals has been discussing the role of women in the Church since February 2022.
Cardinal Fernández: Offer yourselves to the Lord ‘like clay ready to be molded’
Dec 6, 2023 / 12:00 pmThe new head of the Vatican’s doctrine office gave a homily this week in which he encouraged Catholics to be ready to be transformed by the Lord.
Pope Francis prays for victims of bombing of Catholic Mass in the Philippines
Dec 4, 2023 / 11:24 amIslamic State has claimed responsibility for the Dec. 3 blast in a university gymnasium.
Pope Francis to COP28: Environmental destruction is ‘an offense against God’
Dec 2, 2023 / 06:45 amPope Francis canceled his scheduled trip to Dubai days before the climate summit at the request of his doctors.
Pope Francis says he has ‘very acute infectious bronchitis’
Nov 30, 2023 / 08:15 am“As you can see, I am alive,” Pope Francis quipped as he met participants in a health care ethics seminar on Thursday morning.
Pope Francis meets with professional soccer team founded by a Catholic religious
Nov 29, 2023 / 13:30 pmPope Francis met Wednesday with professional soccer players from the Celtic Football Club, a team founded by an Irish Catholic religious brother.
Pope Francis says he is ‘still not well,’ has aide read general audience speech
Nov 29, 2023 / 06:20 amPope Francis, who turns 87 in December, spoke softly into a microphone as he explained that he was “still not well” and would have an aide read his speech.
Giorgia Meloni condemns vandalism of pro-life center in Rome
Nov 27, 2023 / 12:49 pmThe Italian prime minister has condemned the vandalism of a pro-life organization’s headquarters in Rome perpetrated during a protest.
Pope Francis’ health ‘stable’ despite breathing difficulties, Vatican says
Nov 27, 2023 / 06:05 amThe 86-year-old pope is being treated with antibiotics intravenously and is in “good and stable” condition without a fever, a Vatican spokesman said.
Bishop Barron in ‘frank disagreement’ with Synod on Synodality’s report on ‘development of moral teaching’
Nov 24, 2023 / 11:45 amBishop Robert Barron was not the only bishop to highlight the Synod on Synodality’s discussion of the relationship between “love and truth” this week.
Dublin archbishop responds to stabbing of 3 children that sparked violent riots
Nov 24, 2023 / 06:40 amArchbishop Dermot Farrell has asked people to join him in praying for the injured, which includes a 5-year-old girl who sustained serious injuries.
Archbishop to invite young North Koreans to next World Youth Day in Seoul
Nov 23, 2023 / 07:45 amArchbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick shared this week that he plans to invite a youth delegation from North Korea to the 2027 World Youth Day.
Pope Francis meets with families of Israeli hostages being held in Gaza
Nov 22, 2023 / 12:21 pmPope Francis’ meetings with the Israeli and Palestinian delegations occurred as news emerged that a four-day cease-fire agreement had been reached.
Pope Francis has emotional meeting with African migrant who lost his wife and daughter
Nov 18, 2023 / 12:15 pmMbengue Nyimbilo Crepin shared his story during a meeting at the pope’s Vatican City residence Casa Santa Marta on Nov. 17.