Articles by Courtney Mares
Filmmakers point to Knock Shrine as a place of hope for Ireland
Feb 2, 2020 / 14:11 pmAs Ireland grapples with high rates of depression and suicide, Irish filmmakers point to the Knock Shrine as a place of hope and healing.
Pope Francis: Grandparents provide crucial link to faith in secularized societies
Jan 31, 2020 / 10:30 amGrandparents can play a pivotal role in ensuring that the faith is passed on to their grandchildren in secularized societies, Pope Francis said Friday.
Pope Francis: Civilized society recognizes the value of human life
Jan 30, 2020 / 06:00 amWarning of the modern tendency to judge human life on the basis of utility rather than dignity, Pope Francis Thursday urged the need to protect the lives of the smallest and most vulnerable.
While #GirlDad trends, US sex-selective abortion is on the rise
Jan 29, 2020 / 12:01 pmIn the wake of basketball star and father-of-four-daughters Kobe Bryant’s death, #GirlDad has gone viral on social media, as fathers share the unique joy of raising daughters. However, in many parts of the world, fewer girls are born than boys today because of sex-selective abortion.
Pope Francis: 'The beatitudes always bring joy'
Jan 29, 2020 / 04:45 amThe beatitudes should be a defining feature of a Christian’s identity because they reveal the way that Jesus lived his life, Pope Francis said Wednesday.
Pope Francis to publish a book with reflections on St. John Paul II
Jan 28, 2020 / 08:00 amPope Francis has co-authored a book of reflections on the life of St. John Paul II to be published in Italian.
Pope's new personal secretary ran a ministry for street children
Jan 27, 2020 / 10:51 amThe Vatican announced Sunday that Pope Francis has a new personal secretary, Fr. Gonzalo Aemilius, a priest from Uruguay known for his ministry with children on the streets.
'Never again': Pope Francis calls for prayer on Holocaust Remembrance Day
Jan 27, 2020 / 04:30 amPope Francis has asked for people to spend a moment in prayer and recollection on Monday for International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Pope Francis prays for coronavirus victims in China
Jan 26, 2020 / 06:30 amPope Francis prayed Sunday for people infected by the coronavirus, which has killed 56 people in China.
Pope Francis: Keep a Bible close to you for daily inspiration
Jan 26, 2020 / 04:30 amPope Francis preached Sunday about the life-changing power of God’s word in Scripture, encouraging everyone to keep a Bible close for daily inspiration.
Pope Francis prays at St. Paul’s tomb with Orthodox and Anglican Christians
Jan 25, 2020 / 11:15 amPope Francis prayed at the tomb of St. Paul with Orthodox and Anglican leaders Saturday to conclude the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
Pope Francis and Iraqi president discuss securing a future for Christians
Jan 25, 2020 / 09:00 amPope Francis met Saturday with Iraqi President Barham Salih, and discussed the need to secure the future of Iraq’s deep-rooted Christian population.
Cardinal Re elected new dean of the College of Cardinals
Jan 25, 2020 / 05:30 amCardinal Giovanni Battista Re has been elected the new dean of the College of Cardinals with Cardinal Leonardo Sandri as vice-dean.
VP Pence and Pope Francis discuss US pro-life movement during Vatican meeting
Jan 24, 2020 / 09:20 amAs the March for Life got underway in Washington, DC, Pope Francis and Vice President Mike Pence met in the Vatican Friday to discuss the Church's commitment to the pro-life movement.
Pope Francis: Every human has an irrepressible dignity
Jan 24, 2020 / 05:15 amPope Francis emphasized the importance of each person’s dignity Friday in his message for World Communications Day.
St. Timothy's relics moved to Rome for Week of Christian Unity
Jan 23, 2020 / 10:28 amThe relics of St. Timothy are in Rome this week for veneration during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
Suspension revoked for Vatican’s financial watchdog authority
Jan 23, 2020 / 07:30 amThe new head of the Vatican Financial Intelligence Authority (AIF) announced Thursday that the Vatican’s internal financial watchdog’s suspension from an international group has been revoked, and the AIF can resume collaboration with foreign financial intelligence units.
Taiwan president appeals to Pope Francis over China’s 'abuse of power'
Jan 22, 2020 / 08:00 amTaiwan president Tsai Ing-wen has written to Pope Francis describing China’s aggression and persecution of religion as “obstacles to peace,” and detailing the Communist regime’s "abuses of power."
French Senate debates IVF law after thousands protest in Paris streets
Jan 21, 2020 / 13:00 pmDebate began on a bioethics bill in the French Senate Tuesday after tens of thousands of people marched through the streets of Paris to protest state funding for medically assisted procreation for lesbian couples and single women.
Pope Francis denounces ‘barbaric resurgence’ of anti-Semitism
Jan 20, 2020 / 08:00 amPope Francis Monday condemned the “barbaric resurgence” of cases of anti-Semitism in the world, and urged the need to respect each person’s human dignity.