Articles by Courtney Mares
Francis tells his ambassadors not to criticize him behind his back
Jun 13, 2019 / 13:04 pmPope Francis sent a message to apostolic nuncios Thursday informing his ambassadors that they have a responsibility as papal representatives not to criticize the pope or to join groups hostile to the Roman curia.
Chartres Pentecost pilgrimage draws 14,000
Jun 13, 2019 / 02:01 amMore than 14,000 Catholics walked 62 miles from Paris to Chartres Cathedral in three days in an annual Pentecost pilgrimage of prayer and penance.
Fr. Augustus Tolton, former African American slave, advances toward sainthood
Jun 12, 2019 / 04:03 amFr. Augustus Tolton advanced along the path to sainthood Wednesday, making the runaway slave-turned-priest one step closer to being the first black American saint.
'Witnesses of freedom and mercy' - Pope Francis remembers bishops martyred under Communism
Jun 5, 2019 / 02:29 amPope Francis Wednesday reflected upon his recent apostolic visit to Romania, where he beatified seven Greek-Catholic bishops martyred under Soviet occupation.
Pope Francis says he draws strength from relationship with Benedict XVI
Jun 2, 2019 / 11:30 amPope Francis said Sunday that his relationship with Benedict XVI gives him strength and reminds him of the living tradition of the Church.
Pope Francis celebrates Mass at Transylvania’s Marian pilgrimage shrine
Jun 1, 2019 / 03:04 amPope Francis celebrated Mass Saturday at a 16th century Marian pilgrimage site in Transylvania, calling upon the Romanians and Hungarians present to “journey together” as a pilgrim people.
Pope Francis in Romania: Imitate Mary's joy in the visitation
May 31, 2019 / 10:18 amPope Francis celebrated Mass in Bucharest for the feast of the Visitation Friday, encouraging Catholics in Romania to imitate Mary’s humble joy in the little things in life.
Pope Francis says Catholics, Orthodox bonded by blood of the martyrs
May 31, 2019 / 08:00 amPope Francis said Friday that Catholics and Orthodox are bonded by a “shared inheritance” of suffering for Christ from the apostles to modern martyrs.
Cardinal Parolin says Vatican will issue declaration on McCarrick investigation
May 30, 2019 / 07:36 amCardinal Pietro Parolin said Wednesday that the Vatican is still investigating the documentation concerning Theodore McCarrick and will issue a declaration upon the investigation’s completion.
Pope Francis responds to heresy accusation, China concerns
May 29, 2019 / 09:05 amPope Francis said he reacted “with a sense of humor” to the accusation of heresy made against him earlier this month.
Pope Francis: The Lord invites us to open our hearts to the Holy Spirit
May 26, 2019 / 04:02 amPope Francis said Sunday that the Church cannot remain static because the Holy Spirit guides her along the paths of history.
Pope Francis appoints new head of Vatican’s interreligious dialogue
May 25, 2019 / 07:28 amPope Francis appointed Spanish Bishop Miguel Ayuso Guixot Saturday as president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.
Pope Francis: 'Abortion is never the answer'
May 25, 2019 / 05:25 amPope Francis said Saturday that abortion is never the answer to difficult prenatal diagnoses, calling selective abortion of the disabled the “expression of an inhuman eugenics mentality.”
China's technological controls keep Christians under constant surveillance
May 23, 2019 / 14:01 pmAs the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square protests approaches, the Chinese Communist Party is utilizing authoritarian tactics old and new to crack down on Christians.
Pope Francis prays for China invoking Mary Help of Christians
May 22, 2019 / 02:56 amPope Francis Wednesday asked Our Lady Help of Christians to intercede for Chinese Catholics, whom he said continue to believe and hope amid trials.
Pope Francis: Bishops who do not know their priests weaken the Church
May 21, 2019 / 03:08 amPope Francis said Monday that each bishop has a duty to have a strong, close relationship with his priests with a firm warning that episcopal aloofness and favoritism weakens the mission of the Church.
Pope Francis tells medical professionals to defend life
May 17, 2019 / 11:00 amPope Francis Friday encouraged medical professionals to defend and promote life, highlighting the practice of conscientious objection in today’s healthcare environment.
The next World Meeting of Families will focus on holiness in married vocation
May 17, 2019 / 02:38 amThe Vatican announced Friday that the next World Meeting of Families will focus on the vocation of married life as a path to holiness with a particular emphasis on Amoris Laetitia.
Pope Francis urges De La Salle Brothers to bring renewed hope to Catholic schools
May 16, 2019 / 07:20 amOn the 300th anniversary of St. John Baptist de la Salle’s death, Pope Francis urged the Lasallian Brothers to continue their educational mission with their founder’s zeal.
Pope Francis: Christ liberates us from overwhelming evil
May 15, 2019 / 03:08 amPope Francis said Wednesday that Jesus gave humanity a precious gift on the cross -- liberation from evil.