Articles by Courtney Mares
Pope Francis prays for Turkey after deadly Istanbul bombing
Nov 15, 2022 / 09:00 amThe explosion on Istanbul’s Istiklal Avenue, a popular shopping street, on Nov. 13 killed six people and led around 80 others to be hospitalized.
Bell rings out from Catholic cathedral in Mosul for the first time since ISIS occupation
Nov 15, 2022 / 08:25 amA church bell that was kept hidden by a Muslim family during the Islamic State’s occupation of Mosul rang out above St. Paul’s Chaldean Catholic Cathedral on Sunday for the first time in eight years.
Catholics travel from Saudi Arabia to attend Pope Francis’ stadium Mass in Bahrain
Nov 5, 2022 / 05:00 amPope Francis offered the first public papal Mass in the Kingdom of Bahrain, a Muslim-majority island country in the Persian Gulf.
Pope Francis urges Muslim-Catholic collaboration for peace during visit to Gulf kingdom of Bahrain
Nov 4, 2022 / 08:40 amPope Francis met with Muslim leaders in the Gulf kingdom of Bahrain on Friday, saying Catholics and Muslims alike are called to promote peace in the world.
Pope Francis on All Souls’ Day: Do you desire heaven above everything else?
Nov 2, 2022 / 06:53 amOn All Souls’ Day, Pope Francis urged Christians not to “compromise with the Gospel,” but to take Jesus’ words seriously when he says we will be judged by how we treat the poor.
Cardinal Zen trial update: Defense calls for charges to be dismissed
Oct 31, 2022 / 12:10 pmLawyers defending Cardinal Joseph Zen and five other Hong Kong democracy activists took the floor Monday in the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Court.
South Korea’s Catholic bishops pray for Halloween crowd surge victims
Oct 31, 2022 / 04:40 amCatholic bishops in South Korea offered condolences to the bereaved families of the more than 150 people killed in a crowd surge Saturday night.
Pope Francis prays for victims of deadly Islamic terrorist attack in Somalia
Oct 30, 2022 / 07:00 amSomalia’s president said that at least 100 people were killed in the terrorist attack.
Cardinal Zen’s trial reopens in Hong Kong days after Vatican-China deal renewal
Oct 27, 2022 / 08:24 amThe trial of Cardinal Joseph Zen resumed in Hong Kong on Wednesday, days after the Vatican announced the renewal of its agreement with Beijing.
What does the synod document say about ordination of women, LGBTQ issues, and the liturgy?
Oct 27, 2022 / 04:20 amAt the heart of the synodal process is “a Church capable of radical inclusion,” according to a key document released by the Vatican on Thursday to guide the Synod on Synodality.
Synod on Synodality: Vatican reveals framework for next stage of discussions
Oct 27, 2022 / 04:15 amThe Vatican revealed on Thursday the outline that will guide the next stage of discussions in the Synod on Synodality.
Pope Francis warns seminarians that the vice of pornography ‘weakens the soul’
Oct 26, 2022 / 09:11 amPope Francis warned seminarians this week about how the vice of digital pornography “weakens the priestly heart.”
‘Let us be free from the nuclear nightmare’: Pope Francis leads peace appeal at Colosseum
Oct 25, 2022 / 13:00 pmPope Francis raised the spectre of nuclear war at an interreligious appeal for peace at the Colosseum on Tuesday.
Cardinal Tagle defends Vatican-China deal
Oct 25, 2022 / 07:50 amCardinal Luis Antonio Tagle has defended the Vatican’s decision to renew its provisional agreement with China on the appointment of bishops.
Pope Francis prays for Italy as Giorgia Meloni becomes first female prime minister
Oct 24, 2022 / 05:15 amPope Francis offered a prayer for Italy on Sunday as Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni became the country’s first female leader.
Pope Francis announces that World Youth Day registration is open
Oct 23, 2022 / 07:05 amWorld Youth Day is targeted at people between the ages of 16 to 35, according to its organizers.
Pope Francis warns of the danger of ‘spiritual arrogance’
Oct 23, 2022 / 06:05 amThe pope warned that “spiritual arrogance” can lead to adoration of one’s ego instead of God.
Vatican invites Protestant, Orthodox theologians to debate Petrine primacy at St. Peter’s
Oct 20, 2022 / 09:05 amThe theological discussion is part of a new lecture series on the apostle Peter that will take place in the basilica starting Oct. 25 and running through March.
Pope Francis to visit relatives in northern Italy
Oct 19, 2022 / 07:10 amThe Vatican announced Wednesday that Pope Francis will pay a private visit to his relatives in northern Italy next month.
Pope Francis: Be like St. Augustine and examine the story of your life
Oct 19, 2022 / 03:59 amWhy Pope Francis recommends examining the story of your life like this great doctor of the church.