Articles by Courtney Mares
Pope Francis hails St. John Paul II's 'great witness' ahead of centenary
May 5, 2020 / 10:00 amPope 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 amThe 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 amPope 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 amOn 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 amPope 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 amAfter 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 amPope 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 pmPope 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 amThe 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 amItalian 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 amAs 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 amThe 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.
Pope Francis donates ventilators in honor of St. George’s feast day
Apr 23, 2020 / 07:45 amVentilators were delivered to hospitals in Romania, Spain, and Italy on April 23, the feast of St. George, the patron saint of Jorge Mario Bergoglio.
Pope Francis prays for families going hungry amid pandemic
Apr 23, 2020 / 06:00 amPope Francis asked people to pray on Thursday for families who are struggling to put food on the table during the coronavirus pandemic.
Pandemic may revive Islamic State and hurt Iraq’s minorities, say NGOs
Apr 22, 2020 / 11:00 amFor Iraqi Christian and Yazidi communities still recovering from the trauma and destruction wreaked by the Islamic State, the coronavirus poses significant risks, NGOs have said in a joint statement.
Vatican City prepares to ease coronavirus restrictions in May
Apr 22, 2020 / 10:10 amVatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin met with members of the Roman curia on Wednesday to discuss the gradual reopening of Holy See offices as Italy prepares to end its national lockdown.
Memphis priest named bishop of Alexandria
Apr 21, 2020 / 06:00 amPope Francis has appointed Fr. Robert W. Marshall as the next bishop of Alexandria, Louisiana. It is unclear when his ordination and installation Mass will be able to take place due to coronavirus restrictions.
Pope Francis: Prayer opens the door to freedom through the Holy Spirit
Apr 20, 2020 / 02:40 amFreedom is found in the Holy Spirit who provides the strength to fulfill God's will, Pope Francis said in his Monday morning Mass homily.
Pope to offer Divine Mercy Sunday Mass in church with St. Faustina’s relics
Apr 17, 2020 / 09:00 amOn Divine Mercy Sunday Pope Francis will offer Mass in a church containing the relics of both St. Faustina Kowalska and St. John Paul II.
Pope Francis again calls for 'justice, charity, and solidarity' after coronavirus pandemic
Apr 17, 2020 / 07:00 amPope Francis continued his call Friday to see the coronavirus pandemic in light of Christ’s resurrection, in a Spanish-language article published Friday.