Articles by Courtney Mares
Pope Francis on Palm Sunday: Let us stand before the crucifix in our homes
Apr 5, 2020 / 04:00 amOn Palm Sunday, Pope Francis offered Mass in a nearly empty St. Peter’s Basilica and urged Catholics quarantined at home to remember "what really matters" in life: loving God and serving others.
Italian bishops offer Mass for coronavirus victims, including 87 priests
Apr 2, 2020 / 13:00 pmBishops throughout Italy visited cemeteries last week to pray and offer Mass for the souls of those who died after contracting the coronavirus. Among the 13,915 coronavirus deaths in Italy, at least 87 have been priests.
China owes ‘apology and compensation’ for coronavirus, says cardinal
Apr 2, 2020 / 07:30 amPoor countries are suffering from the coronavirus because of the Chinese Communist Party’s negligence and repression, a cardinal from Burma said Thursday
Pope Francis prays for media covering the coronavirus pandemic
Apr 1, 2020 / 04:00 amPope Francis offered a prayer for media professionals who are covering the coronavirus pandemic before his daily Mass on Wednesday.
African cardinal tests positive for coronavirus as pandemic spreads across the continent
Mar 31, 2020 / 09:28 amCardinal Philippe Ouédraogo of Burkina Faso has tested positive for the coronavirus, his archdiocese announced Tuesday. He is the second cardinal known to have tested positive for the virus, which is now a global pandemic.
Vatican flags at half-staff in solidarity with coronavirus victims
Mar 31, 2020 / 03:15 amMore than 11,500 people have died of COVID-19 in Italy after a total of 101,739 people have been documented by the Italian Ministry of Health as infected with the coronavirus.
Pope Francis warns of a coronavirus ‘genocide’ if economy prioritized over people
Mar 30, 2020 / 10:16 amIn a private letter to an Argentine judge, Pope Francis is reported to have warned that government decisions to prioritize the economy over people could result in a “viral genocide.”
Six sisters from same Italian convent have died, as coronavirus spreads among religious orders
Mar 30, 2020 / 08:06 amSix sisters in one northern Italian convent have died of coronavirus, and nine sisters are being treated in the hospital after testing positive for COVID-19, according to Italian media. Coronavirus is spreading among several religious houses in Italy.
Pope Francis: Trust in the mercy and justice of God
Mar 30, 2020 / 03:30 amPope Francis said Monday that the Church can trust in the mercy and justice of God.
Pope Francis prays for those who weep from coronavirus loneliness or loss
Mar 29, 2020 / 06:30 am“Many cry today. And we, from this altar, from this sacrifice of Jesus -- of Jesus who was not ashamed to cry -- ask for the grace to cry. May today be for everyone like a Sunday of tears,” Pope Francis said.
'COVID-19 knows no borders': Pope Francis calls for global ceasefire
Mar 29, 2020 / 05:00 amThe pope urged nations in conflict to respond to an appeal made by the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres on March 23 for an “immediate global ceasefire in all corners of the world” to “focus together on the true fight of our lives,” the “battle” against the coronavirus.
'Have no fear': Pope Francis calls Catholics to say 'yes' to vocations
Mar 26, 2020 / 08:00 amAcknowledging that discerning God’s plan is a daunting task, the pope said that trust in the Lord can overcome our fears.
Vatican updates guidelines for Holy Week liturgies during coronavirus
Mar 25, 2020 / 11:01 amAfter dioceses throughout the world suspended public Masses amid the coronavirus pandemic, the Congregation for Divine Worship has updated its decree on Holy Week liturgies.
Pope Francis: The Church’s pro-life message is more relevant than ever
Mar 25, 2020 / 05:00 amPope Francis said Wednesday that the Church's pro-life message is more relevant than ever as the world faces the coronavirus pandemic.
Fr. Berardelli was a man of self-sacrifice, but reports of a donated respirator are not true
Mar 24, 2020 / 11:56 amWhile Fr. Giuseppe Berardelli is remembered fondly by those who knew him as a man of kindness and self-sacrifice, the reports of a donated respirator passed along to a younger patient are not true, the secretary general of his diocese told CNA Tuesday.
At least 60 Italian priests have died after contracting coronavirus
Mar 23, 2020 / 09:07 amIn the past week alone, more than 3,000 people have died in Italy after contracting the coronavirus. Among the dead, there have been at least 60 priests this month, according to local sources.
Pope Francis prays for people facing economic hardship due to coronavirus
Mar 23, 2020 / 03:15 amPope Francis offered Mass on Monday for people facing economic hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Pope Francis to give a special Urbi et Orbi blessing amid coronavirus pandemic
Mar 22, 2020 / 10:30 amPope Francis announced Sunday that he will give an extraordinary Urbi et Orbi blessing on March 27 with the opportunity for Catholics to receive a plenary indulgence by tuning in via media.
Pope Francis: As humanity trembles from pandemic, let us unite in prayer
Mar 22, 2020 / 06:05 amPope Francis has asked Christians around the world to unite in praying the Our Father prayer at noon on March 25 in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Pope Francis offers this spiritual communion prayer during coronavirus pandemic
Mar 21, 2020 / 05:00 amAs more Catholics around the world find themselves unable to receive the Eucharist due to the coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis provided an example of a spiritual communion prayer that can be said from home.