Articles by Courtney Mares
Pope Francis prays for ‘beloved and tormented’ Syria
Oct 13, 2019 / 05:10 amAs Turkish-led forces began the fifth day of their move against Kurdish militias in northeastern Syria Sunday, Pope Francis appealed for dialogue, especially as families in the region are forced to flee from warfare.
'Lead, kindly light' - Pope Francis names Newman a saint
Oct 13, 2019 / 02:20 amNearly two centuries ago, John Henry Newman was England’s most well-known Anglican priest, until he risked everything to become a Catholic. Today he has become a saint.
These are the four women being canonized with John Henry Newman
Oct 11, 2019 / 02:01 amPope Francis will canonize four women alongside John Henry Newman this Sunday. These women -- a stigmatist, a mystic, a Roman orphan, and Nobel Peace prize nominee -- also proclaimed Christ through their lives and their miracles in a unique way.
The Church has fought infanticide, Amazon synod bishops say
Oct 10, 2019 / 10:10 amBishop Wilmar Santin of Itabituba, Brazil said Thursday that the Church has worked to eradicate the practice of tribal infanticide in the Amazon, and compared the practice to the moral evil of abortion.
'Every page was an act of prayer': New manuscript reveals devotion of St. John Paul II
Oct 9, 2019 / 07:05 amNewly published manuscripts belonging to Karol Wojtyła have offered a glimpse into the future pope and saint’s deep devotion and prayer throughout his writing process.
Pope Francis appoints North Dakota priest to lead Diocese of Helena
Oct 8, 2019 / 04:17 amPope Francis appointed Tuesday Fr. Austin A. Vetter as the next bishop of Helena, Montana.
Pope Francis urges new cardinals to imitate Christ’s compassionate heart
Oct 5, 2019 / 09:15 amPope Francis created 13 new cardinals Saturday, encouraging each of them to ask for the grace to have a compassionate heart like Christ.
Amazon Synod: Ecological ritual performed in Vatican gardens for pope’s tree planting ceremony
Oct 4, 2019 / 09:30 amPope Francis witnessed an indigenous performance at a tree planting ceremony in the Vatican gardens Friday, during which people held hands and bowed before carved images of pregnant women, one of which reportedly represented the Blessed Virgin Mary.
US ambassadors: Religious groups provide aid where governments cannot
Oct 3, 2019 / 12:37 pmU.S. diplomats asked the Holy See to join the multilateral International Religious Freedom Alliance Wednesday, underscoring the contributions of faith-based organizations to flourishing and free societies around the world.
Vatican approves miracle of Polish Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski
Oct 3, 2019 / 04:27 amThe Vatican announced Thursday approval of a miracle attributed to Venerable Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski, the former primate of Poland known for his heroic resistance to Communism.
At Vatican, Secretary Mike Pompeo highlights Chinese religious freedom violations
Oct 2, 2019 / 05:00 amU.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo spoke out Wednesday about China’s religious freedom violations during a visit to the Vatican.
The Church's Extraordinary Missionary Month begins under the gaze of St Therese
Oct 1, 2019 / 13:35 pmPope Francis opened the Extraordinary Missionary Month Tuesday invoking St. Therese of Liseux, the patron saint of missionaries.
Cardinal Sarah reflects on the meaning of the priesthood
Sep 29, 2019 / 08:30 amCardinal Robert Sarah reflected on the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist and the meaning of the priesthood in a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica Saturday marking his 50th ordination anniversary.
At Mass for Migrants and Refugees, Pope Francis says world is increasingly elitist
Sep 29, 2019 / 05:00 amPope Francis celebrated Mass for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees Sunday with a message that the world is becoming more elitist to the detriment of the poor and the most vulnerable.
Muslim leader meets Pope Francis, calls for Islam that sees no ‘infidels’
Sep 27, 2019 / 12:03 pmThe leader of the largest independent Muslim organization in the world met Pope Francis this week to present his vision for a more peaceful future and greater human fraternity.
Pope Francis: Clericalism linked to fixation on sexual morality
Sep 26, 2019 / 09:25 amIn a meeting with Jesuits in Mozambique earlier this month, Pope Francis said that clericalism is a direct result of rigidity and linked to a fixation on sexual morality.
Pope Francis says slander is a 'diabolical cancer'
Sep 25, 2019 / 04:30 amPope Francis said Wednesday that slander is a 'diabolical cancer' that seriously damages the Church.
Pope to UN summit: Climate change linked to ethical decline
Sep 24, 2019 / 09:07 amIn a video message Monday to the UN Climate Action Summit, Pope Francis stressed that climate change is linked to ethical decline and human degradation.
Pope Francis, Andrea Bocelli visit street evangelization center
Sep 24, 2019 / 08:53 amPope Francis and Andrea Bocelli made a surprise visit Tuesday to a rehabilitation center outside of Rome.
‘Secret preacher’ of Dachau concentration camp beatified
Sep 19, 2019 / 11:06 amThe ‘secret preacher of block 17’ who witnessed to Christ in a Nazi concentration camp was beatified this week in Limburg, Germany.