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.

Articles by Courtney Mares

At empty shrine, Fatima cardinal says Church is spiritually united with Mary

May 13, 2020 / 09:00 am

For the first time in its history the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima celebrated the May 13 anniversary of the 1917 Marian apparitions without the presence of the public

Vatican backs worldwide interfaith day of prayer and fasting

May 12, 2020 / 11:15 am

On May 14, people of all religious affiliations are called to participate in a day of prayer, fasting, and acts of charity for the end of the coronavirus pandemic

Pope Francis appoints Duluth priest as next Bishop of Rapid City

May 12, 2020 / 08:00 am

Pope Francis has appointed Fr. Peter Muhich to be the next Bishop of Rapid City, South Dakota.

Vatican Museums to reopen with temperature checks, mandatory face masks

May 11, 2020 / 08:20 am

The Vatican Museums are preparing to reopen by reservation only with new health measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, according to the general secretary of Vatican City State.

Pope Francis prays for the unemployed after coronavirus layoffs

May 11, 2020 / 03:30 am

Pope Francis began his morning Mass on Monday by praying for the unemployed after millions of people lost their jobs amid coronavirus restrictions.

U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See hails faith-based relief efforts amid pandemic

May 8, 2020 / 09:00 am

The U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See has called attention to the role of faith-based organizations in delivering U.S government relief funds to assist people who are suffering due to the coronavirus in Italy.

Pope Francis: ‘Jesus saves us from the darkness’

May 6, 2020 / 06:00 am

Pope Francis said Wednesday that Christ’s light illuminates the darkness of sin in our world and in ourselves.

Pope Francis speaks up for ‘harshly exploited’ agricultural workers

May 6, 2020 / 04:30 am

The coronavirus crisis can be an opportunity to recenter work on the dignity of each person, Pope Francis said in an appeal at the end of his general audience broadcast on Wednesday. 

Pope Francis hails St. John Paul II's 'great witness' ahead of centenary

May 5, 2020 / 10:00 am

Pope Francis said that he has looked up to St. John Paul II throughout his priesthood in a book foreword he wrote ahead of the 100-year anniversary of the Polish pope’s birth. 

Blood of St. Januarius liquefies in Naples under lockdown

May 3, 2020 / 07:30 am

The liquefaction of the blood of the early Church martyr St. Januarius occurred Saturday amid the coronavirus lockdown, leading the Archbishop of Naples to bless the city with the miraculous relic.

Pope Francis asks for prayer for vocations to the priesthood on Good Shepherd Sunday

May 3, 2020 / 05:30 am

Pope Francis called on all Catholics to pray for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life on Good Shepherd Sunday, the World Day of Prayer for Vocations.

Pope Francis honors priests and doctors who have died in the coronavirus pandemic

May 3, 2020 / 04:00 am

On Good Shepherd Sunday, Pope Francis said he was thinking of all the priests and doctors who gave their lives in the service of others during the coronavirus pandemic.

Pope Francis prays for government leaders facing the coronavirus crisis

May 2, 2020 / 03:30 am

Pope Francis prayed Saturday for mayors, governors, presidents, and legislators at a time when many government leaders are making decisions about whether to ease or extend coronavirus restrictions.

Italian churches prepare to resume funerals after eight-week ban

Apr 30, 2020 / 10:45 am

After eight weeks without funerals, Italian families will finally be able to gather together to mourn and pray at funeral Masses for the victims of the coronavirus starting May 4.

Pope Francis offers Mass for 'anonymous’ coronavirus victims

Apr 30, 2020 / 06:15 am

Pope Francis prayed Thursday for the many people who have died as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, especially the “anonymous” victims buried in common graves

Pope Francis postpones Peter’s Pence collection amid pandemic’s economic downturn

Apr 29, 2020 / 13:00 pm

Pope Francis has postponed this year’s Peter’s Pence collection until next fall as the Vatican confronts the economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic.

Grand Master of the Order of Malta dies at 75

Apr 29, 2020 / 05:00 am

The Grand Master of the Order of Malta Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre died early Wednesday at the age of 75.

'Save our seniors' - Italian youth organize campaign to honor elderly in isolation

Apr 27, 2020 / 08:30 am

Italian students have organized a campaign to uplift and honor the elderly, who have suffered heavy losses in Italy’s coronavirus outbreak.

Pope thanks artists for showing ‘path of beauty’ during pandemic

Apr 27, 2020 / 04:00 am

As much of the world remains under quarantine due to the coronavirus, Pope Francis prayed for artists who show others “the path of beauty” amid lockdown restrictions. 

Italian cardinal calls for restoration of public Masses and church funerals

Apr 24, 2020 / 07:30 am

The president of the Italian bishops’ conference has written a letter calling for Sunday Mass to resume in Italy as the country begins to ease coronavirus lockdown restrictions.