Articles by Courtney Mares
Benedict XVI’s brother Georg Ratzinger has died
Jul 1, 2020 / 03:30 amBenedict XVI’s older brother Georg Ratzinger died Wednesday, just a little more than one week after the pope emeritus’ visit.
Pope Francis on feast of Saints Peter and Paul: 'Only prayer unlocks chains'
Jun 29, 2020 / 04:30 amOn the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul on Monday, Pope Francis urged Christians to pray for one another and for unity, saying “only prayer unlocks chains.”
Scientists confirm Italian crucifix is oldest wooden statue in Europe
Jun 26, 2020 / 07:30 amScientists confirmed this month that a crucifix in the Italian city of Lucca is the oldest wooden statue in Europe.
Catholics pray for reconciliation on 70th anniversary of the Korean War
Jun 25, 2020 / 04:20 amKorean Catholics marked the 70th anniversary of the start of the Korean War -- a war which never technically ended -- on Thursday with Masses offered for reconciliation on the divided Korean peninsula.
Finding God in Shanghai: a Chinese convert’s path to faith
Jun 24, 2020 / 10:00 amAt his baptism at a Catholic church in Shanghai, Dalù said that he “cried like a baby” knowing that his sins were being washed away. His journey to faith began with singing Christmas carols in 2009, and eventually led him to seek asylum in Rome.
Religious sisters risk lives to rescue the vulnerable amid pandemic
Jun 23, 2020 / 09:30 amSister Stan Mumuni dedicates her life to caring for abandoned children with birth defects in Ghana. When the coronavirus pandemic spread to West Africa, she said that she ran to the market to buy soap and supplies, but the prices had already tripled.
Benedict XVI returns to Rome after visiting ill brother in Germany
Jun 22, 2020 / 05:00 amPope emeritus Benedict XVI arrived back in Rome Monday after a four-day trip to Germany to visit his ailing brother.
Pope Francis: Discover the riches hidden in Jesus’ Sacred Heart
Jun 17, 2020 / 03:40 amAhead of the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Pope Francis encouraged Catholics to discover the riches of charity hidden in the heart of Christ.
Cardinal Turkson delivers face masks, care packages to Romani families
Jun 15, 2020 / 09:00 amCardinal Peter Turkson delivered face masks and care packages over the weekend to Romani families in need on the outskirts of Rome on behalf of Pope Francis.
Bishop Zanchetta returns to work at the Vatican amid abuse trial in Argentina
Jun 15, 2020 / 06:30 amBishop Gustavo Zanchetta has returned to work at the Vatican amid an ongoing trial in Argentina, where he has been charged with sexual and financial misconduct.
Pope Francis appeals for peace in Libya after discovery of mass graves
Jun 14, 2020 / 06:30 amPope Francis expressed “great apprehension and sorrow” Sunday after eight mass graves were discovered in Libya amid the ongoing civil war.
Pope Francis: The Eucharist gives us Christ's healing love
Jun 14, 2020 / 03:00 amChrist’s presence in the Eucharist heals wounds and transforms bitter negativity into the joy of Lord, Pope Francis said in his homily for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi Sunday.
Pope Francis: Catholics cannot ignore the poverty caused by the pandemic
Jun 13, 2020 / 03:00 amPope Francis said Saturday that the coronavirus pandemic has revealed poverty that Catholics cannot ignore.
Diocese of Rome offers priests free COVID-19 antibody tests
Jun 12, 2020 / 08:00 amAs Italy moves into a new phase of its lockdown reopening, the Diocese of Rome announced that it will offer free COVID-19 antibody testing for all priests ministering amid the pandemic.
Parish priest says reported Eucharistic miracle has led to conversions
Jun 11, 2020 / 09:30 amAs the Vatican continues to evaluate a reported Eucharistic miracle in Poland, the priest of the parish where it occurred says that the unexpected extraordinary event has led to conversions.
Pope Francis appoints Bishop Mitchell Rozanski to lead St. Louis archdiocese
Jun 10, 2020 / 04:15 amPope Francis appointed Wednesday Bishop Mitchell Rozanski to lead the Metropolitan Archdiocese of St. Louis.
Italian convent that suffered severe COVID-19 outbreak is now virus-free
Jun 9, 2020 / 09:00 amAfter an outbreak in the Little Missionary Sisters of Charity Mother House in northern Italy led half of its sisters to test positive for COVID-19 and nine sisters to die, the last hospitalized sister has been released from the hospital.
Vatican should renew China deal for ‘one or two years,’ says negotiator
Jun 9, 2020 / 06:30 amWith the Vatican’s interim deal with the Chinese government due to expire in September, an archbishop who helped to negotiate the agreement said this week that he believes it should be renewed for one or two more years.
Vatican bank reports €38 million profit in 2019
Jun 8, 2020 / 10:30 amThe Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR), commonly called the Vatican Bank, said it had made a net profit of 38 million euros in 2019 as it released its annual report Monday.
Pope Francis teams up with Olympic athletes for coronavirus charity auction
Jun 8, 2020 / 06:30 amPope Francis has teamed up with Olympic athletes for a charity auction this month to support hospitals in the regions of Italy hardest hit by the coronavirus.