Articles by Courtney Mares
Pope Francis: ‘Mongolia is a symbol of religious freedom’
Sep 1, 2023 / 21:50 pmPope Francis called Mongolia a “symbol of religious freedom” in his first speech in the Asian country sandwiched between China and Russia.
PHOTOS: Pope Francis’ first day in Mongolia
Sep 1, 2023 / 11:48 amPope Francis received an enthusiastic welcome to Mongolia on Friday morning after a nearly 10-hour flight on the papal plane.
Pope Francis becomes first pope in history to set foot in Mongolia
Aug 31, 2023 / 20:40 pmThe pope told journalists aboard the papal plane that to visit Mongolia is to encounter “a small people, but a big culture.”
Vatican reassures Ukrainian Catholics that pope did not intend to praise Russian imperialism
Aug 29, 2023 / 10:34 amPope Francis made the comment while speaking off the cuff during a live video conference with Russian youth Aug. 25.
Pope Francis to visit one of the world’s most polluted capitals this week
Aug 28, 2023 / 01:00 amPope Francis is likely to make “care for our common home” a key theme of his Mongolian trip this week from Aug. 31 to Sept. 4.
What Pope Francis’ trip to Mongolia could mean for Vatican relations with Russia and China
Aug 27, 2023 / 08:00 amThe pope’s upcoming trip could have geopolitical implications beyond the country’s small population of Catholics.
Pope Francis: Synod on Synodality ‘truly important’ despite being ‘of little interest to the general public’
Aug 26, 2023 / 09:30 amThe pope spoke about the significance of the synod nearly one month ahead of the first Synod on Synodality assembly taking place Oct. 4–28.
Pope Francis discusses family values, Ukraine war with Hungarian president
Aug 25, 2023 / 10:45 amIn the 45-minute meeting on Aug. 25, the pope and Novák spoke about the humanitarian situation in Ukraine and efforts to end the conflict.
Pope Francis: The Eucharist can fill ‘the wounds and voids produced by sin’
Aug 25, 2023 / 05:57 amThe pope said in the eyes of the world it might appear “absurd” to confront societal problems by praying on one’s knees but that it is always effective.
Pope Francis: Like Our Lady of Guadalupe, mothers can be great evangelizers today
Aug 23, 2023 / 04:30 amIn his catechesis on evangelization on Aug. 23, the pope spoke about how the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe in 1531 helped to spread the Gospel.
Pope Francis condemns assassination of Ecuadorian presidential candidate
Aug 12, 2023 / 09:30 amThe presidential candidate had been an outspoken critic of the violence caused by drug trafficking.
Pope Francis offers condolences after 55 die in Hawaii wildfires
Aug 11, 2023 / 09:10 amThe pope sent a condolence telegram on Friday expressing his sadness and solidarity with all who are suffering due to the destruction caused by the wildfires.
Pope Francis changes canon law on Opus Dei and any future personal prelatures
Aug 8, 2023 / 10:00 amThe updated canons now state that the statutes that govern a personal prelature can be “approved or issued by the Apostolic See.”
Vatican announces that artificial intelligence will be theme of next World Day of Peace
Aug 8, 2023 / 08:30 amA statement from the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development on Aug. 8 described an “urgent need” to guide the development of AI.
Pope Francis explains why he skipped Fatima prayer for peace
Aug 6, 2023 / 16:15 pmDuring his in-flight press conference, the pope also spoke about his health, youth suicide, and access to the sacraments.
PHOTOS: Pope Francis prays the rosary in Fátima with young people with disabilities
Aug 5, 2023 / 05:45 amPope Francis prayed the rosary with young people with disabilities on Saturday morning in the Fátima chapel.
Pope Francis at WYD Stations of the Cross: ‘Jesus wipes away our hidden tears’
Aug 4, 2023 / 13:33 pmThe pope’s meditations connected Christ’s sufferings to wounds that young people experience today.
PHOTOS: Pope Francis’ first World Youth Day speech, ‘God’s heart beats uniquely for you’
Aug 3, 2023 / 14:28 pmApproximately 500,000 people celebrated Pope Francis’ arrival at World Youth Day.
Pope meets with clerical abuse survivors, urges Church to hear victims’ ‘anguished cry’
Aug 3, 2023 / 11:37 amEarlier Pope Francis called for “a humble, ongoing purification, starting with the anguished cry of the victims, who must always be accepted and listened to.”
Cardinal in Mongolia dreams of establishing a Catholic monastery to advance evangelization
Jul 23, 2023 / 09:00 amCardinal Giorgio Marengo has taken on the challenge of bringing the Gospel to a country with one of the smallest Catholic communities in the world.