Articles by Courtney Mares
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(AIF) announced Thursday that the Vatican’s internal financial watchdog’s suspension from an international group has been revoked, and the AIF can resume collaboration with foreign financial intelligence units.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.
Pope Francis: The Church never tires of announcing God’s love
Jan 15, 2020 / 04:00 amWhile often persecuted and misunderstood, the Church never tires of announcing the love of God made present in Jesus Christ, Pope Francis said Wednesday.
World's youngest Catholic bishop consecrated in Ukraine
Jan 14, 2020 / 15:01 pmThe world’s youngest Catholic bishop was consecrated in Ukraine Sunday.
South Sudan peace declaration signed in Rome
Jan 14, 2020 / 13:30 pmThe Republic of South Sudan and the South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA) have signed a peace declaration in Rome Sunday that will go into effect Jan. 15.
Gaza Exodus: Helping Christians caught in a crisis
Jan 14, 2020 / 00:47 amWith fewer than 1,000 Christians in a population of 1.8 million, the Christian population in Palestine’s Gaza Strip today is less than half of what it was 10 years ago.
Pope Francis: It is beautiful when babies cry at Mass
Jan 12, 2020 / 04:30 amPope Francis baptized 32 babies in the Sistine Chapel Sunday, telling parents not to worry if their children cry at Mass.
Pope Francis to diplomats: Polarization hurts the poor
Jan 9, 2020 / 05:00 amIn his annual address to diplomats Thursday, Pope Francis stressed that solidarity is needed in 2020 to overcome polarization for the sake of the poor, who suffer when the common good is disregarded.
Archbishop Warda: US-Iran tensions threaten Iraq's Christian communities
Jan 8, 2020 / 11:48 amAfter Iran attacked an air base in Erbil early Wednesday, the Chaldean Archbishop of Erbil said the current tensions between Iran and the U.S. threaten the fragile Christian communities in Iraq’s Nineveh Plains.
Pope Francis: God acts in the midst of our trials and failures
Jan 8, 2020 / 05:00 amLove for God is always fruitful, Pope Francis said Wednesday, stressing that Christ can bring good out of any circumstance -- even an apparent failure.
Iranian nuncio appeals for negotiation, not revenge
Jan 7, 2020 / 11:25 amAs tensions escalate between Iran and the United States following the killing of Qasem Soleimani, the pope’s diplomat in Tehran is appealing for dialogue.
Pope Francis: When we do not worship God, we worship ourselves
Jan 6, 2020 / 04:15 amOn the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, Pope Francis said worship of Christ reveals the true meaning of our journey of life, as it did for the magi in the Gospel.
Pope Francis apologizes for losing patience with woman who grabbed him
Jan 1, 2020 / 06:00 amPope Francis apologized Wednesday for losing his patience with a woman who grabbed his arm in St. Peter’s Square on New Year’s Eve.
Pope Francis: Honor the dignity of women for a better world in 2020
Jan 1, 2020 / 05:15 amPope Francis began the new year with a call for the dignity of women to be honored -- not exploited for profit and pornography -- in 2020.
Pope Francis asks families to put down their phones on Holy Family feast
Dec 29, 2019 / 05:30 amOn the feast of the Holy Family of Nazareth Sunday, Pope Francis encouraged families to get off their cell phones and talk to one another.
Pope Francis on Christmas: Christ's light is greater than the darkness of world's conflicts
Dec 25, 2019 / 05:30 amOn Christmas, Pope Francis prayed for Christ to bring light to the instability in Iraq, Lebanon, Venezuela, Yemen, Ukraine, Burkina Faso, and other parts of the world experiencing conflict.
Pope Francis and UN Secretary General record video urging religious freedom, climate protection
Dec 20, 2019 / 07:40 amPope Francis and the United Nations Secretary General António Guterres recorded a video message together at the Vatican Friday in which the two leaders urge the importance of religious freedom, human dignity, and environmental protection.
There were over 800 extremist attacks in West Africa in 2019
Dec 19, 2019 / 10:47 amExtremist attacks have risen dramatically in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, from 180 incidents in 2017 to more than 800 violent attacks in 2019, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies.