Articles by Courtney Mares
Pope Francis sends condolences after death of Cardinal Simonis
Sep 3, 2020 / 07:00 amPope Francis offered his condolences Thursday after Dutch Cardinal Adrianus Simonis died at the age of 88.
'I hope to be able to inspire': Meet Australia's 36-year-old ambassador to the Holy See
Sep 3, 2020 / 05:00 amAustralia’s new ambassador to the Holy See is a 36-year-old mother of two with a passion for youth outreach.
Pope Francis calls for solidarity at first audience with pilgrims after lockdown
Sep 2, 2020 / 03:50 amIn his first Wednesday audience with pilgrims since Italy’s lockdown, Pope Francis called for solidarity to reawaken unity and bring God’s love to a suffering world.
Cardinal Parolin stresses ‘spiritual consonance’ between Pope Francis and Benedict XVI
Sep 1, 2020 / 12:00 pmCardinal Pietro Parolin has written an introduction to a book describing the continuity between Pope Francis and his predecessor Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
Pope Francis says pandemic is ‘a wake-up call’ to care for creation
Sep 1, 2020 / 03:40 amPope Francis released a message Tuesday for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation in which he called for repentance for humanity’s broken bonds with God’s creation and with each other.
Vatican confirms World Mission Sunday will take place amid pandemic
Aug 28, 2020 / 07:30 amThe Vatican confirmed Friday that World Mission Sunday will take place as scheduled on Oct. 18, underlining the importance of evangelization and support for the Church’s mission territories amid the pandemic.
Pope Francis makes surprise visit to Rome’s Basilica of St. Augustine
Aug 28, 2020 / 03:00 amPope Francis made a surprise visit to the Basilica of St. Augustine on Thursday to pray at the tomb of St. Monica.
Pro-life student group sends letter to Pope Francis over South Korea abortion law
Aug 27, 2020 / 05:00 amA pro-life association of university students is appealing to Pope Francis for support as the South Korean government faces a decision on the future of its national abortion law.
Archbishop remembered as ‘courageous prophet’ after death from COVID-19
Aug 26, 2020 / 06:30 amArchbishop Oscar Cruz died early Wednesday from coronavirus complications. He is believed to be the 10th Catholic bishop to die of COVID-19 since the outbreak of the global pandemic.
As South Korea revises abortion law, Catholics mobilize to protect unborn life
Aug 25, 2020 / 10:15 amAs the deadline approaches for South Korea’s National Assembly to revise the country’s abortion law, Korean Catholics are working to promote legislation that will address the needs of pregnant mothers.
Pope Francis calls Mozambique bishop after Islamist militants seize port city
Aug 21, 2020 / 04:45 amPope Francis made an unexpected phone call this week to a bishop in northern Mozambique, where militants linked to the Islamic State have seized control of the port city of Mocimboa da Praia.
Nuncio meets Zimbabwe government minister after clash over Catholic bishops’ letter
Aug 20, 2020 / 09:45 amThe Vatican’s representative in Zimbabwe met a senior government official Wednesday amid tensions following a pastoral letter issued by the country’s bishops.
Catholic archbishop prays outside of prison for detained Belarusian protesters
Aug 20, 2020 / 04:30 amThe archbishop of Minsk prayed outside of a prison in Belarus Wednesday where detained protesters were reported to have been tortured.
Abbot who helped revive traditional monasticism laid to rest in France
Aug 19, 2020 / 10:10 amA Benedictine abbot who helped to revive traditional monasticism and Gregorian chant in France was buried Wednesday in the 11th-century Abbey of Fontgombault, the monastery he led for more than 30 years.
Catholic leader outlines vision for Lebanon as the ‘Switzerland of the East’
Aug 18, 2020 / 08:30 amLebanon’s Maronite patriarch issued a memorandum Monday outlining a vision for the restoration of the country’s neutral status as the “Switzerland of the East.”
Pope Francis calls for justice and dialogue in Belarus
Aug 16, 2020 / 05:30 amPope Francis offered a prayer for Belarus Sunday asking for respect for justice and dialogue following a week of violent clashes over the disputed presidential election.
Pope Francis asks Mary 'Mother of Hope' to intercede for Nigeria's persecuted Christians
Aug 15, 2020 / 07:00 amPope Francis prayed Saturday for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, “Mother of Hope,” for Nigeria’s persecuted Christians and for peace in conflicts in Africa.
Pope Francis: Mary’s Assumption was a 'giant leap for mankind'
Aug 15, 2020 / 05:10 amOn the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Pope Francis said that Mary’s assumption into Heaven was an infinitely greater achievement than man’s first steps on the moon.
Mauritius oil spill: Catholic cardinal says local villages are suffering
Aug 14, 2020 / 09:31 amAfter a damaged ship leaked more than 1,000 tons of oil off the coast of Mauritius, the Bishop of Port-Louis is worried about the consequences for local fishing villages who depend on the dying sea life in the island’s coral reefs.
Pope Francis meets with bishop newly consecrated to lead Mongolia’s Catholics
Aug 12, 2020 / 14:11 pmPope Francis met Wednesday with an Italian missionary who was recently consecrated a bishop to lead Mongolia’s apostolic prefecture.