Articles by Courtney Mares
The Dormition Fast: The Eastern Christian season leading to the Assumption
Jul 31, 2019 / 02:01 amEach year the Eastern Catholic Churches, as well as other Eastern Christians, participate in a fasting season Aug. 14 in preparation for the Aug. 15 feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God (which is celebrated as the Assumption in the Latin rite).
After deadly shipwreck, Pope Francis appeals for safety of migrants
Jul 28, 2019 / 04:45 amAs up to 150 migrants are feared to have drowned in a shipwreck off the coast of Libya, Pope Francis made an appeal to the international community Sunday to act decisively to ensure the safety and dignity of migrants.
Cardinal Jaime Ortega, Archbishop of Havana for 34 years, dies at 82
Jul 27, 2019 / 08:04 amCardinal Jaime Lucas Ortega y Alamino, who served as Archbishop of Havana for more than 34 years, died Friday at the age of 82 after a months-long battle with cancer.
Benedict XVI pays a surprise visit to Castel Gandolfo
Jul 26, 2019 / 03:00 amPope Emeritus Benedict XVI left Vatican City Thursday to make a surprise visit to Castel Gandolfo.
Pope Francis names vice director of Holy See press office
Jul 25, 2019 / 04:00 amPope Francis Thursday appointed Cristiane Murray as vice director of the Holy See Press Office.
On prevention of child abuse, Pope Francis points to St. John Bosco's example
Jul 24, 2019 / 13:00 pmIn an unscripted video message that appears to have been recorded on a cell phone, Pope Francis spoke of the need for an “apostolate of prevention” to protect minors from abuse.
Pope Francis names Bp Mark Brennan to follow Bransfield at West Virginia diocese
Jul 23, 2019 / 03:01 amPope Francis Tuesday named Bishop Mark Brennan the Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston, West Virginia following financial corruption and alleged sexual assault by the former bishop of the diocese Michael J. Bransfield.
UK government considering sanctions for religious freedom violators
Jul 18, 2019 / 09:03 amUK Ambassador to the Holy See Sally Axworthy said this week that the UK government will consider a recommendation to impose sanctions on foreign governments that violate religious freedom.
This Roman basilica is dedicated to 20th century martyrs
Jul 14, 2019 / 15:08 pmOn an island in Rome’s Tiber River, there is a basilica devoted to the Christian martyrs of the 20th century, the bloodiest century in the history of the Catholic Church.
St. Benedict Church in Rome celebrates feast with 40 hour adoration vigil
Jul 11, 2019 / 04:45 amBefore St. Benedict left for Subiaco, he studied in Rome, where today there is a little-known chapel built on the site believed to be his former residence.
Pope Francis prays for migrants killed in airstrike in Libya
Jul 7, 2019 / 05:00 amPope Francis prayed Sunday for the victims of the airstrike that hit a migrant detention center in Libya, and called upon the international community to condemn the violence.
Pope Francis tells Ukrainian Catholic leaders to persevere in hope amid Donbas conflict
Jul 6, 2019 / 09:45 amOne day following his private audience with Vladimir Putin, Pope Francis met Friday with leaders of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, encouraging them to persevere in hope and prayer amid the conflict in Donbas.
Archbishop Fulton Sheen to be beatified
Jul 6, 2019 / 03:00 amPope Francis approved the miracle attributed to Archbishop Fulton Sheen Friday, making possible the American television catechist's beatification.
Putin visits Pope Francis on July 4th
Jul 4, 2019 / 07:30 amRussian President Vladimir Putin met with Pope Francis at the Vatican July 4 for a 55-minute private discussion about international affairs.
Pope Francis gives relic of St. Peter's bones to Orthodox patriarch
Jul 3, 2019 / 09:50 amPope Francis gave unexpectedly a reliquary containing what are believed to be bone fragments of St. Peter to Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew, an ecumenical gesture that has generated controversy among some Catholics.
Seal of confession is an 'intrinsic requirement,' Vatican says
Jul 1, 2019 / 08:30 amThe head of the Vatican’s Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Penitentiary released a note Monday reaffirming the inviolability of the seal of confession and the importance of other forms of secrecy in the life of the Church.
Blessed John Henry Newman to be canonized October 13
Jul 1, 2019 / 03:00 amThe Vatican announced Monday that Blessed Cardinal John Henry Newman will be canonized on October 13 in Rome.
As Trump and Kim meet in North Korea, Pope Francis prays for peace
Jun 30, 2019 / 04:30 amPope Francis prayed for peace and the successful outcome of the meeting Sunday between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the DMZ.
Pope Francis: The Catholic Church belongs to Christ
Jun 29, 2019 / 06:35 am“To the Lord we are not a group of believers or a religious organization, we are His bride. He looks at His Church with tenderness, He loves it with absolute fidelity, despite our mistakes and betrayals,” Pope Francis said June 29.
Saints Peter and Paul witness to the power of God’s forgiveness, pope says
Jun 29, 2019 / 05:25 amPope Francis said Saturday that Saints Peter and Paul are both witnesses to the transformative power of God’s forgiveness through which all Christians can experience a new beginning of peace and joy.