Articles by Courtney Mares
At least 28 priests in northern Italy have died from COVID-19
Mar 19, 2020 / 07:30 amItalian dioceses surrounding Milan have reported the deaths of 30 priests during the coronavirus outbreak.
Pope Francis encourages small acts of love during coronavirus quarantine
Mar 18, 2020 / 03:40 amWhile many are stuck at home during the coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis says that there are many small acts of love and kindness one can do for others without leaving the house.
Ireland’s Msgr. Hugh O'Flaherty, a Vatican ‘defender of the weak’
Mar 17, 2020 / 10:05 amMsgr. Hugh O’Flaherty, an Irish priest who hid Italian Jews from the Nazis and went on to baptize the former head of the Gestapo in Rome, is world renowned for the heroism he displayed during and after World War II.
French Catholics begin novena as Lourdes closes for first time in history
Mar 17, 2020 / 04:30 amThe Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes has closed for the first time in over a century following new restrictions in France to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
In Italy, at least 10 priests are dead of coronavirus, and 1 bishop is recovering
Mar 16, 2020 / 14:20 pmAt least ten priests have died in Italy after contracting COVID-19. More than half of them were from the Diocese of Bergamo, a town outside of Milan in Lombardy.
Do coronavirus closings violate religious liberty? A religious freedom expert weighs in
Mar 16, 2020 / 12:06 pmAs more government leaders will soon face tough decisions in the face of a spreading pandemic, the president of the Religious Freedom Institute told CNA about important criteria to ensure the protection of a foundational freedom.
French bishop tests positive for coronavirus after Vatican visit
Mar 16, 2020 / 07:05 amA French bishop who visited the Vatican last week has tested positive for coronavirus, his diocese announced Monday.
Rome's churches closed, then opened again. What happened?
Mar 13, 2020 / 12:47 pmLess than one day after the Diocese of Rome closed all Roman churches to the public, the cardinal who oversees the diocese reversed himself, saying he would leave that decision to parish pastors.
Churches in Rome can reopen for private prayer
Mar 13, 2020 / 05:00 amLess than one day after the Diocese of Rome issued a decree to close all churches to the public, the vicar general revised the decree Friday saying he will leave this decision to the discretion of parish priests.
Pope Francis: Do not forget the poor during the coronavirus pandemic
Mar 12, 2020 / 04:15 amThe suffering of the poor cannot be ignored during the coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis said Thursday in his televised morning homily.
Pope Francis offers Mass for prisoners after Italian prison riots
Mar 11, 2020 / 05:05 amFollowing prison riots in Italy, Pope Francis offered Mass for prisoners and persecuted Christians on Wednesday during his livestreamed daily Mass.
Pontifical Academy of Life assembly attendee tested positive for coronavirus
Mar 10, 2020 / 14:19 pmThe Pontifical Academy of Life said Tuesday that only one attendee of a Vatican conference held in Rome ten days ago has tested positive for COVID-19.
Italian police close St. Peter's Square to public
Mar 10, 2020 / 05:29 amThe Italian police closed St. Peter’s Square Tuesday following the Italian government decree extending quarantine measures to all of Italy to slow the spread of coronavirus.
Diocese of Rome cancels all public Masses, announces day of fasting and prayer
Mar 8, 2020 / 12:30 pmThe Diocese of Rome has canceled all public Masses until April 3 in response to the coronavirus outbreak. The announcement by the vicar general of the diocese, published Sunday evening, follows a decree by the Italian government suspending all public religious ceremonies.
Vatican Museums closed until April 3
Mar 8, 2020 / 08:30 amThe Vatican Museums will be closed until April 3 as a precautionary measure to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus in Italy.
Pope Francis: Be strong in faith amid coronavirus trial
Mar 8, 2020 / 06:30 amIn a video streamed live to St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis prayed for those suffering from the "coronavirus epidemic" and encouraged Catholics to live through this trial with the strength of faith.
How Franciscans in Syria are helping kids heal from war trauma
Mar 7, 2020 / 06:01 amAs a wartime missionary priest in Aleppo, Fr. Firas Lufti witnessed the trauma endured by a generation of Syrian children who have spent the entirety of their lives in the uncertainty and tragedy of war.
Pope Francis announces a Synod on Synodality for the Catholic Church
Mar 7, 2020 / 05:00 amThe next ordinary Synod of Bishops will be a synod on synodality, the Vatican announced March 7.
Vatican City confirms first case of coronavirus
Mar 6, 2020 / 04:30 amVatican City has confirmed its first case of coronavirus, a Vatican spokesman said Friday.
Pope's message to youth: Don't let your cell phone distract you from reality
Mar 5, 2020 / 16:18 pmPope Francis is asking youth to wake up from the deadening static of staring at a cell phone to encounter Christ in their neighbor.