Articles by Courtney Mares
Pontifical universities close as coronavirus deaths in Italy surpass 100
Mar 4, 2020 / 12:45 pmRome’s pontifical universities will temporarily shut down tomorrow, after Italy’s death toll from Covid-19 surpassed 100 people March 4.
Pope Francis announces Laudato si' Week to take place in May
Mar 3, 2020 / 09:57 amPope Francis is calling on Catholics to participate in “Laudato si’ Week” in May to encourage care for our common home.
Nigerian priest abducted by gunmen after Sunday Mass
Mar 3, 2020 / 08:00 amAnother Catholic priest in Nigeria has been kidnapped by gunmen, according to local media reports.
Vatican investigators to meet with Mexican sex abuse victims, bishops
Mar 3, 2020 / 06:00 amThe Vatican is sending Archbishop Charles Scicluna and Monsignor Jordi Bertomeo to Mexico this month to meet with sex abuse victims and to strengthen the Mexican bishops’ fight against sexual abuse.
French priest hospitalized with coronavirus
Mar 2, 2020 / 13:29 pmA priest has been hospitalized in Paris after testing positive for the Covid-19 coronavirus Feb. 28.
Coronavirus postpones pope's global economic summit
Mar 2, 2020 / 10:35 amThe three-day conference, named for St. Francis and scheduled to meet in Assisi, was planned to take place March 26-28 with 2,000 economists and entrepreneurs traveling from 115 countries.
Pope Francis accepts resignation of Buffalo’s Bishop Edward Grosz
Mar 2, 2020 / 06:15 amPope Francis Monday accepted the resignation of Bishop Edward Grosz, the auxiliary bishop of Buffalo, who has faced accusations of mishandling sex abuse allegations.
South Sudan security concerns remain high as peace process takes a step forward
Feb 28, 2020 / 14:17 pmAfter a newly formed unity government for South Sudan was sworn in last week, security concerns in the world’s newest country remain high, posing challenges for Pope Francis’ desired papal trip.
Pope Francis works from home for second day
Feb 28, 2020 / 08:00 amPope Francis postponed his official audiences for Friday, but maintained his private meeting schedule at his residence in Vatican City. The decision comes after the pope was reported to have a “slight” illness by Vatican a spokesman.
Bishops propose Arab World Youth Day for Middle East Catholics
Feb 28, 2020 / 05:00 amBishops from the Middle East have proposed a regional youth gathering similar to World Youth Day for young Catholics from Syria to Somalia.
Vatican City implements health measures over coronavirus
Feb 27, 2020 / 15:00 pmThe Vatican has implemented special health measures and canceled some events as more than 500 people have tested positive for coronavirus in Italy.
Pope Francis names 4 new bishops for US dioceses
Feb 27, 2020 / 08:30 amThe appointments, announced Thursday, include three new auxiliary bishops for the Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey, and one new auxiliary bishop for the Diocese of San Diego, California.
Hong Kong Catholics told to look online as Mass cancelled across China
Feb 26, 2020 / 12:30 pmThe Diocese of Hong Kong has told Catholics to make use of online resources following the cancellation of Masses in response to the coronavirus.
Pope Francis on Ash Wednesday: Confession purifies hearts
Feb 26, 2020 / 11:00 amBefore going to confession, Pope Francis recommended, people should stand in front of the Crucifix and contemplate Christ on the cross.
Pope Francis: Ask God for the strength to love your enemies
Feb 23, 2020 / 09:00 amAsk God for the grace to love your enemies, Pope Francis said Sunday in a homily in the Italian city of Bari.
Pope Francis on Middle East: War should never be considered normal
Feb 23, 2020 / 07:00 amWar is madness, Pope Francis told bishops gathered in the Italian city of Bari in a speech that warned against populist sentiments and condemned countries that sell weapons that fund wars in the Middle East.
Computer programming teen Carlo Acutis to be beatified
Feb 22, 2020 / 08:30 amThe Vatican announced Saturday the approval of a miracle attributed to the intercession of Venerable Carlo Acutis, an Italian teenager and computer programmer, who died in 2006.
L’Arche reports sexual misconduct by founder Jean Vanier
Feb 22, 2020 / 06:00 amL’Arche International published the results Saturday of an independent investigation detailing sexual misconduct by its founder Jean Vanier with six women without disabilities in the context of spiritual direction.
Pope Francis: Canon law revision project is concluding
Feb 21, 2020 / 11:36 amPope Francis said on Friday that canon law can be like medicine, because justice is healing for the entire Church. The pope also said that a long-running process of revising canon law’s penal norms has come to an end, suggesting that major revisions to the Code of Canon Law could soon be issued.
Pope Francis prays for victims of German shooting
Feb 21, 2020 / 07:00 amPope Francis prayed Friday for the victims of a shooting in Germany that killed nine people at two hookah bars.