Articles by Courtney Mares
Taiwan foreign ministry: Catholics in China are facing serious challenges
Oct 23, 2020 / 06:00 amTaiwan’s foreign ministry responded by the renewal of the Sino-Vatican provisional agreement Thursday by highlighting the worsening religious freedom situation on the mainland.
Where China's bishops stand as the Sino-Vatican deal is renewed
Oct 22, 2020 / 11:00 amChinese bishops after the Vatican-China deal: Who was appointed? Whose excommunications were lifted? Who stepped aside?
Vatican and China renew provisional agreement on appointment of bishops
Oct 22, 2020 / 03:00 amThe Vatican and China have renewed a provisional agreement on the appointment of bishops for two more years, the Holy See announced Thursday.
Vatican to UN: It is immoral to threaten use of nuclear weapons as deterrence
Oct 21, 2020 / 05:10 amA Vatican official challenged the security theory of nuclear deterrence as immoral at the United Nations this week and called for “genuine progress” toward complete nuclear disarmament.
Pope Francis: ‘The world has a profound thirst for peace’
Oct 20, 2020 / 13:00 pmPope Francis affirmed the signal importance of peace at an interreligious gathering Tuesday on Rome’s Capitoline Hill.
Shrine of patroness of impossible causes launches Lebanon prayer campaign
Oct 20, 2020 / 08:30 amThe Basilica of St. Rita, the patron saint of impossible causes, is beginning a seven-month prayer initiative for Lebanon as the country faces an unprecedented economic and political crisis.
Blessed Carlo Acutis’ tomb closes after extended time of public veneration
Oct 19, 2020 / 09:00 amThe glass that has allowed pilgrims to view Blessed Carlo Acutis will be permanently covered Monday as the official multi-week celebration of the Italian teen’s beatification in Assisi comes to an end.
Vatican asks UN to eliminate the risks of satellite collisions in outer space
Oct 19, 2020 / 05:00 amWith more and more satellites orbiting the Earth, measures need to be taken to prevent collisions in outer space that give rise to dangerous “space debris,” a Holy See representative has warned the United Nations.
Pope Francis laments that tons of food is thrown away as people starve
Oct 16, 2020 / 13:00 pmIn a video message for World Food Day, Pope Francis expressed concern that tons of food is being thrown away while people continue to die for lack of food.
World Youth Day Lisbon 2023 unveils Marian logo
Oct 16, 2020 / 08:00 amWorld Youth Day Lisbon launched its website and unveiled its logo Friday as Portugal prepares to host the world’s largest gathering of Catholic young people in August 2023.
Cardinal tells diplomats: 11 million Syrians need humanitarian aid
Oct 15, 2020 / 12:00 pmThe apostolic nuncio to Syria met with diplomats accredited to the Vatican Thursday to inform them that an estimated 11 million Syrians are in need of humanitarian assistance.
US embassy to Vatican highlights risk of ‘human trafficking crisis’ amid pandemic
Oct 15, 2020 / 05:35 amOnline exploitation of victims of human trafficking has increased amid the coronavirus pandemic, experts warned at a U.S. Embassy to the Holy See event Oct. 14.
Public veneration of Blessed Carlo Acutis’ tomb extended as pilgrims flock to Assisi
Oct 14, 2020 / 12:00 pmThe Diocese of Assisi announced Wednesday that the period of public veneration of Blessed Carlo Acutis has been extended until Oct. 19 due to the number of people who wish to pray at his tomb.
Pope Francis urges laity to ‘take a step forward’ in evangelization
Oct 14, 2020 / 06:00 amPope Francis called for the laity to “take a step forward” in carrying out the Church’s mission of evangelization in a preface to a book written by an Italian bishop.
Pope Francis prays for people affected by California wildfires
Oct 11, 2020 / 09:30 amPope Francis expressed his concern Sunday for people suffering from the effects of wildfires in California and South America.
Pope Francis says Blessed Carlo Acutis is a model for young people to put God first
Oct 11, 2020 / 06:00 amPope Francis said Sunday that the life of Blessed Carlo Acutis provides a witness for young people that true happiness is found when one puts God first.
Pope Francis calls for 'integral ecology' in TED Climate Countdown video
Oct 11, 2020 / 04:30 amPope Francis sent a video message to the TED Countdown summit on climate change Saturday explaining how a more “integral ecology” can help the poor.
Beatification of Carlo Acutis: The first millennial to be declared Blessed
Oct 10, 2020 / 08:46 amWith the beatification of Carlo Acutis in Assisi Saturday, the Catholic Church now has its first “Blessed” who loved Super Mario, Pokémon, and above all the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.
South Korea proposes new law allowing abortion up to 14 weeks
Oct 8, 2020 / 12:00 pmSouth Korea’s National Assembly is considering a proposal to allow abortion up to 14 weeks as the deadline approaches to revise the country’s abortion law.
Slain Catholic priest awarded Italy’s highest honor for civil valor
Oct 8, 2020 / 04:00 amThe president of Italy conferred the highest honor for civil valor Wednesday upon Fr. Roberto Malgesini, a priest who was stabbed to death near Lake Como last month.