Articles by Courtney Mares
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.
Pope Francis joins international community in mourning after New Zealand attacks
Mar 15, 2019 / 07:15 amPope Francis mourned “senseless acts of violence” against innocent life after the New Zealand mosque attacks. On Friday, at least forty-nine people were killed in attacks on two mosques in the city of Christchurch.
Belgian Cardinal Godfried Danneels dies at the age of 85
Mar 14, 2019 / 08:16 amCardinal Godfried Danneels died Thursday at the age of 85 in his native Belgium. Danneels served as Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels and leader of the Belgian Bishops’ Conference for more than thirty years.
Vatican spokesmen: Pope Francis’ seventh year will be ‘synodal’
Mar 13, 2019 / 09:15 amOn the sixth anniversary of Pope Francis’ election Wednesday, the Vatican's chief spokesman said Francis will continue to lead the Church as a synodal “field hospital” in the year ahead.
Pope begins Lenten spiritual exercises reflecting on Christ's gaze
Mar 11, 2019 / 09:24 amA Benedictine abbot is leading Pope Francis and the Roman curia in Lenten spiritual exercises this week, with the theme of Christ’s gaze and gestures in the life of the world.
Pope Francis: Martyred seminarians provide a witness for priests, bishops
Mar 10, 2019 / 06:04 amPope Francis said Sunday that the nine Spanish seminarian martyrs beatified this weekend provide a witness to priests and bishops to remain pure and generous.
Cardinals spar in responses to Vatican-China deal
Mar 8, 2019 / 15:40 pmAfter Cardinal Fernando Filoni and a Chinese-appointed bishop both spoke out this week separately in support of the Vatican-China deal for fostering unity, Cardinal Joseph Zen responded strongly.
Bishop Barron: Proclaim the Gospel more boldly in times of crisis
Mar 7, 2019 / 13:41 pmBishop Robert Barron said Thursday that rather than becoming hesitant in sharing the Gospel, the Catholic Church should proclaim the truth even more boldly “during these times of crisis.”
Pope Francis prays for Alabama tornado victims
Mar 6, 2019 / 10:03 amPope Francis sent his prayers and condolences to Alabama Wednesday after devastating tornadoes over the weekend killed 23 people and left dozens of survivors without homes.
Pope Francis: We need you, Jesus. Thy Kingdom Come
Mar 6, 2019 / 04:01 amPope Francis said Wednesday that the Kingdom of God is the greatest force in the world, but it is humble, almost invisible, and slow-growing.
Ambassadors to Vatican partner with women religious to combat modern slavery
Mar 5, 2019 / 10:12 amEmbassies to the Holy See are teaming up with religious sisters to address the problem of modern slavery, which affects an estimated 40 million people around the world today.
Pope Francis: Latin America needs a new Catholic presence in politics
Mar 4, 2019 / 10:56 amPope Francis called Monday for a new approach to politics in Latin America that incorporates the principles of Catholic social teaching.
Vatican to open WWII secret archives of Pope Pius XII
Mar 4, 2019 / 07:33 amPope Francis announced Monday that the Vatican will open its archives on the pontificate of Pope Pius XII. Confidential files of the pope who led the Church during World War II will be made available next year.
Vatican Secretary of State calls Pell conviction 'shocking and painful'
Mar 1, 2019 / 08:42 amVatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin Thursday called the conviction of Cardinal George Pell in Australia “shocking and painful.”
What no deal at the Trump-Kim summit means for human rights in North Korea
Feb 28, 2019 / 10:25 amThe summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Vietnam came to an early close Thursday as negotiations over sanctions and denuclearization fell apart, leaving the two leaders with “no deal.”
South Korean bishop weighs in on Trump-Kim summit
Feb 27, 2019 / 15:01 pmAs U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un meet in Vietnam this week, a South Korean archbishop sees the host country as a model for the development of economic and religious freedoms in the isolated country.
Pope Francis: Evil’s days are numbered
Feb 27, 2019 / 03:11 amPope Francis said Wednesday that evil is limited compared to the expanding force of God’s holiness in the world.
Pope’s Lenten message focuses on renewal of creation
Feb 26, 2019 / 09:58 amThe redemption of creation takes center stage in Pope Francis’ Lenten message this year, which connects man’s sinfulness to environmental issues.
Pope Francis: Church will focus on 8 points in 'all-out battle' against abuse
Feb 24, 2019 / 04:46 amPope Francis Sunday outlined eight points that the Church will focus on in an “all-out battle” against the sexual abuse of minors to, he said, “turn this evil into an opportunity for purification.”
Cardinal Marx: Transparency is decisive in the credibility of the Church
Feb 23, 2019 / 11:29 amCardinal Reinhard Marx said Saturday that administration and transparency will be key to rebuilding the trustworthiness and credibility of the Church after its mishandling of past cases of clerical sexual abuse.