Courtney Mares

Courtney Mares

Courtney Mares is a Rome Correspondent for Catholic News Agency. A graduate of Harvard University, she has reported from news bureaus on three continents and was awarded the Gardner Fellowship for her work with North Korean refugees. She is the author of “Blessed Carlo Acutis: A Saint in Sneakers” (Ignatius, 2023), https://ignatius.com/carlo-acutis-sscap/.

Articles by Courtney Mares

Pope Francis: Evil’s days are numbered

Feb 27, 2019 / 03:11 am

Pope 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 am

The 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 am

Pope 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 am

Cardinal 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.

O'Malley defends 'zero tolerance' approach to abusive priests

Feb 22, 2019 / 16:00 pm

Cardinals and clergy participating in the Vatican’s sex abuse summit expressed conflicting views on the use of the term “zero tolerance” Friday, with some claiming that “zero tolerance” is an American concept with a legalistic focus.

Women of Catholic Worker Movement on prayerful pilgrimage for abuse summit

Feb 22, 2019 / 05:02 am

American women from the Catholic Worker Movement are in Rome this week to pray for the Vatican’s sexual abuse summit in emulation of Dorothy Day’s Roman pilgrimage to fast and pray for peace.

Polish sex abuse victims meet Pope Francis, release abuse report

Feb 21, 2019 / 14:16 pm

A Polish delegation of sex abuse victims and advocates met Pope Francis Wednesday, and presented the pope with a report documenting alleged clergy sexual abuse cases and cover-up throughout their country.

Victims from Africa, Asia at Vatican to call for 'zero tolerance' of abuse cover-up

Feb 20, 2019 / 16:40 pm

While studying at an African minor seminary at the age of 14, Benjamin Kitobo says he was abused by a Belgian priest, who had been sent to Africa after previously abusing children in Europe.

A look ahead at this week's Vatican sex abuse meeting

Feb 18, 2019 / 11:30 am

The Vatican has released the schedule, speakers, and a new website for this week’s much-anticipated sex abuse summit, which will focus on episcopal transparency and accountability for the protection of minors.

Ahead of summit, Cupich discusses sex abuse, homosexuality, priestly formation

Feb 18, 2019 / 10:15 am

Cardinal Blase Cupich said Monday that this week’s Vatican sex abuse summit needs to be focused on the protection of minors, underscoring that homosexuality is not a cause of sexual abuse.

Pope Francis: Be not afraid of migrants

Feb 15, 2019 / 10:05 am

Pope Francis said Friday that people need to overcome their fear of migrants and refugees, and look for the face of Christ in each immigrant arriving in their countries.

Pope Francis: 'Inequality is disastrous for the future of humanity'

Feb 15, 2019 / 06:13 am

Pope Francis spoke out about inequality, the environment, sustainable development and the elimination of poverty during his visit to the United Nations’ agricultural development agency in Rome Thursday.

In leaked letter to 'Mr. Maduro,' Pope Francis reiterates call for peace

Feb 13, 2019 / 11:30 am

On Feb. 13, the Milan daily newspaper Corriere Della Sera published a report saying that the pope had written to Maduro reiterating his desire for the avoidance of violence in the country. 

Pope Francis: There is no 'I' in the 'Our Father'

Feb 13, 2019 / 03:17 am

Pope Francis said Wednesday that one’s prayer should always be a dialogue with God with charitable consideration for others’ needs.

Holy See receives Venezuelan opposition delegation

Feb 11, 2019 / 12:26 pm

The Vatican Secretariat of State received Monday a delegation from Venezuela affiliated with opposition leader Juan Guaido, who has been recognized by the United States and a dozen other countries as the country’s interim president.

Pope Francis to discuss 'Veritatis Gaudium' in Naples

Feb 11, 2019 / 06:49 am

The Vatican announced Monday that Pope Francis will travel to Naples in June to discuss the impact of the apostolic constitution, Veritatis Gaudium, on theological studies.

Pope Francis: Pray with St. Bakhita for the end of human trafficking

Feb 10, 2019 / 04:10 am

Pope Francis called Sunday for an end to human trafficking, encouraging Catholics to pray for the intercession of St. Josephine Bakhita, the patron of trafficking victims.

Pope Francis celebrates Missionaries of Africa's 150 years of service

Feb 8, 2019 / 11:19 am

In mid-nineteenth century Algeria, a French bishop sought to share the Gospel among the local Africans living in his diocese by forming a community that adopted the traditional dress in Algiers -- a white cassock with a red fez.

St. Paul VI’s feast to be celebrated May 29

Feb 6, 2019 / 05:53 am

The Vatican announced Wednesday that Pope St. Paul VI’s feast day will be celebrated annually on May 29 as an optional memorial.

Maduro asks Pope Francis to mediate in Venezuela

Feb 5, 2019 / 05:39 am

Nicolas Maduro wrote a letter to Pope Francis asking him to mediate in the political situation in Venezuela, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin confirmed Monday.