Articles by Courtney Mares
Archbishop of Canterbury joins Pope Francis to co-host South Sudan retreat
Apr 9, 2019 / 11:59 amThe leaders of the newest country in the world will meet this week in the smallest country in the world.
Holy See tells UN a 'right to abortion' defies moral, legal standards
Apr 8, 2019 / 11:01 amThe Holy See’s representative to the United Nations told the UN Commission on Population and Development that insistence upon a “right to abortion” at their annual spring meeting detracts from the commission’s efforts to address the real needs to mothers and children.
This 9-year-old cancer patient who ‘never complained’ is now on the path to sainthood
Apr 8, 2019 / 09:38 amPope Francis Monday recognized the heroic virtue of nine-year old Brazilian boy, who “never complained” during cancer treatments, but instead offered his suffering to Jesus.
From influencers to cyborgs, Pope Francis has tech advice for young people
Apr 5, 2019 / 08:40 amDiscussing current digital trends, from “influencers” to cyborgs to “zapping,” Pope Francis’ recent apostolic letter to young people contains both buzzwords and moral advice for Millenial and iGen digital natives.
Pope Francis to host 'spiritual retreat' for leaders of war-torn South Sudan
Apr 4, 2019 / 11:23 amThe Vatican will host a “spiritual retreat” for South Sudan’s president and opposition leader as they navigate the peace process in the war torn country, a Vatican spokesman confirmed Wednesday.
Pope Francis names Wilton Gregory to follow Wuerl at Washington archdiocese
Apr 4, 2019 / 03:00 amPope Francis Thursday named Archbishop Wilton Gregory the Archbishop of Washington, succeeding Cardinal Donald Wuerl.
Pope Francis: God desires solidarity among Catholics and Muslims
Apr 3, 2019 / 05:33 amReflecting upon his recent apostolic journey to Morocco, Pope Francis said Wednesday that God desires a greater sense of fraternity among Catholics and Muslims as “brother children of Abraham.”
Pope Francis asks youth for help in ‘preventing atrocities’ of abuse
Apr 2, 2019 / 08:40 amPope Francis has called upon young people to be vigilant in the face of “horrible crimes” of clerical sexual abuse, and to confront priests “at risk” of betraying the trust of their office.
Pope Francis: Freedom of conscience in danger in 'Christian countries'
Mar 31, 2019 / 14:45 pmPope Francis decried the regression of freedom of conscience in “Christian countries” during an in-flight press conference Sunday, telling reporters on his return trip from Morocco, “let’s not accuse Muslims”.
Pope Francis in Morocco: 'Let the culture of mercy grow'
Mar 31, 2019 / 08:11 amPope Francis celebrated Mass in the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat Sunday, calling upon the Moroccan people to “let the culture of mercy grow.”
Pope Francis urges religious communities to charity and dialogue in Morocco
Mar 31, 2019 / 05:23 amPope Francis urged religious communities in Morocco to practice an “ecumencism of charity,” calling for dialogue, not proselytism, in the Muslim-majority country Sunday.
Francis: Let us restore Confession ‘to the place it deserves’ in Catholic life
Mar 29, 2019 / 13:09 pmPope Francis called for the Sacrament of Confession to be elevated in the pastoral life of the Church during a Lenten penitential liturgy in St. Peter’s Basilica Friday.
Pope Francis: 'Sacramental confession is the way of sanctification'
Mar 29, 2019 / 09:28 amPope Francis told priests and seminarians Friday that the sacrament of penance is “the way of sanctification” in which miraculous conversions occur.
Cardinal Sarah: God never abandons His Church
Mar 28, 2019 / 11:39 amCardinal Robert Sarah defended papal primacy and priestly celibacy, and called for unity among Catholics in the face of Church scandals and the moral crisis in the Western world during an interview published March 27.
Catholics bring pro-life voices to the UN Commission for Women
Mar 22, 2019 / 15:49 pmAs participants in the UN Commission for Women’s annual gathering advocated for increased international access to abortion, side events hosted by the Vatican and other Catholic groups presented a pro-life perspective on women’s empowerment at the UN.
How this classical Catholic school welcomes children with Down syndrome
Mar 21, 2019 / 09:22 amStudents with Down syndrome study Latin and logic alongside their classmates at Immaculata Classical Academy, a Catholic school in Louisville, Ky., that integrates students with special needs into each of their pre-K through 12 classrooms.
Will Pope Francis meet the Chinese president this week?
Mar 20, 2019 / 16:13 pmAs Chinese President Xi Jinping travels to Rome this week, there has been much speculation as to whether his trip will also include an unofficial visit with Pope Francis.
For families of 21 Copts killed by ISIS, martyrdom is ‘Fifth Gospel’
Mar 19, 2019 / 10:00 amThe author of a newly translated book has spoken of the “extraordinary” willingness of the Coptic Martyrs to “bear witness to the Christian faith” as they were kidnapped and beheaded at the hands of ISIS in Libya in 2015.
Pope Francis calls for 'gestures of peace' in wake of mosque attacks
Mar 17, 2019 / 05:15 amPope Francis called for gestures of peace to oppose hatred and violence Sunday in the wake of attacks on two mosques in New Zealand.
On Lenten retreat, Pope Francis reflected on 'Gaudium et spes'
Mar 15, 2019 / 10:15 amPope Francis said Friday that he senses resistance to Gaudium et spes, a document the pope said he reflected much upon during his Lenten retreat this week.