Articles by Courtney Mares
Pope Francis calls for ‘culture of care’ in 2021 World Peace Day message
Dec 17, 2020 / 06:05 amPope Francis appealed for a “culture of care” in his message for the 2021 World Day of Peace released Thursday.
As abducted Catholic priest is freed, congregation prays for kidnappers’ conversion
Dec 17, 2020 / 03:30 amAfter abducted Nigerian priest Fr. Valentine Ezeugu was released Wednesday, his religious congregation said it was praying for the conversion of his kidnappers.
Catholic priest kidnapped in Nigeria while traveling to his father’s funeral
Dec 16, 2020 / 07:00 amA priest of the Congregation of Sons of Mary Mother of Mercy was kidnapped in Nigeria Tuesday while traveling to his father’s funeral.
Vatican City to start coronavirus vaccinations in January
Dec 15, 2020 / 05:00 amVatican City will begin to offer coronavirus vaccinations in January, according to the Vatican director of health and hygiene.
Papal envoy travels to Armenia in aftermath of 44-day war
Dec 14, 2020 / 13:00 pmA papal envoy traveled to Armenia last week to speak with civil and Christian leaders in the aftermath of the country’s 44-day war with Azerbaijan over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.
Vatican diplomat: COVID-19 vaccines must be accessible to all
Dec 11, 2020 / 14:00 pmA Vatican diplomat has called for a coordinated rollout of COVID-19 vaccines which ensures that the poor are not left behind.
This year’s Vatican Christmas tree has ornaments handmade by the homeless
Dec 11, 2020 / 12:00 pmReaching a height of nearly 100 feet, the Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square this year is adorned with handcrafted wooden ornaments made by the homeless, as well as children and other adults.
Pandemic causes up to 40% drop in income of French parishes
Dec 10, 2020 / 15:00 pmThe Catholic Church in France estimates that it lost more than $100 million due to the country’s two coronavirus lockdowns this year.
Holy House of Loreto celebrates feast with illuminated Marian procession
Dec 10, 2020 / 14:00 pmOn the vigil of the Dec. 10 feast of Our Lady of Loreto, uniformed air force pilots wearing face masks carried a large wooden statue of the Virgin Mary in an outdoor procession in Loreto, illuminated by candles and Christmas lights.
15 ways to gain an indulgence in the Year of St. Joseph
Dec 10, 2020 / 08:30 amUntil December 2021, there are many new ways that Catholics can receive an indulgence, including entrusting their daily work to the protection of St. Joseph the Worker or reciting the rosary with their families.
Assisi in Advent: illuminated frescoes and a nurse in a nativity scene
Dec 9, 2020 / 13:00 pmAssisi unveiled a nativity scene Tuesday made of 50 figurines of shepherds, angels, and barn animals with a new addition this year: a life-size figure of a nurse in scrubs wearing a mask.
Belarus to be consecrated to Mary on Immaculate Conception feast
Dec 7, 2020 / 10:30 amThe metropolitan archbishop of Minsk has asked all churches in Belarus to pray an act of consecration of Belarus to the Immaculate Heart of Mary after Mass on Dec. 8.
Australia celebrates 10th anniversary of St. Mary MacKillop’s canonization
Dec 7, 2020 / 09:30 amAustralia is celebrating the 10th anniversary this year of the canonization of the country’s first and only saint, St. Mary MacKillop.
Pope Francis will travel to Iraq in 2021
Dec 7, 2020 / 05:55 amThe Vatican announced Monday that Pope Francis will travel to Iraq in March 2021. He will be the first pope to ever visit the country, which is still recovering from the devastation inflicted by the Islamic State.
Patriarch Pizzaballa makes solemn entry into the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem
Dec 4, 2020 / 13:00 pmPatriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa made a solemn entry into the Church of the Holy Sepulchre Friday as the new Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem.
Notre-Dame choir to return to fire-damaged cathedral for Christmas concert
Dec 4, 2020 / 08:30 amNotre-Dame Cathedral choir will return to the damaged cathedral on Christmas Eve to perform a concert that will be broadcast live from Paris.
Catholic bishops welcome ‘realistic’ new measures for public Masses in France
Dec 3, 2020 / 09:00 amBishops in France have welcomed new government measures that will allow more people to attend public Masses during Advent.
Catholic priest in Nigeria released after being held captive for 10 days
Dec 3, 2020 / 05:00 amA priest who was kidnapped in Nigeria has been released after being held captive for 10 days.
Pope Francis prays for victims of Islamist attack in Nigeria that left 30 beheaded
Dec 2, 2020 / 11:30 amPope Francis said Wednesday that he was praying for Nigeria following a massacre of at least 110 farmers in which Islamist militants beheaded an estimated 30 people.
Pope Francis: God is patient and never stops waiting for a sinner’s conversion
Dec 2, 2020 / 04:00 amPope Francis said Wednesday that God does not wait for us to stop sinning to start loving us, but always holds out hope for the conversion of even the most hardened sinner.