Articles by Courtney Mares
Pope Francis prays at St. Paul’s tomb with Orthodox and Anglican Christians
Jan 25, 2020 / 11:15 amPope Francis prayed at the tomb of St. Paul with Orthodox and Anglican leaders Saturday to conclude the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
Pope Francis and Iraqi president discuss securing a future for Christians
Jan 25, 2020 / 09:00 amPope Francis met Saturday with Iraqi President Barham Salih, and discussed the need to secure the future of Iraq’s deep-rooted Christian population.
Cardinal Re elected new dean of the College of Cardinals
Jan 25, 2020 / 05:30 amCardinal Giovanni Battista Re has been elected the new dean of the College of Cardinals with Cardinal Leonardo Sandri as vice-dean.
VP Pence and Pope Francis discuss US pro-life movement during Vatican meeting
Jan 24, 2020 / 09:20 amAs the March for Life got underway in Washington, DC, Pope Francis and Vice President Mike Pence met in the Vatican Friday to discuss the Church's commitment to the pro-life movement.
Pope Francis: Every human has an irrepressible dignity
Jan 24, 2020 / 05:15 amPope Francis emphasized the importance of each person’s dignity Friday in his message for World Communications Day.
St. Timothy's relics moved to Rome for Week of Christian Unity
Jan 23, 2020 / 10:28 amThe relics of St. Timothy are in Rome this week for veneration during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
Suspension revoked for Vatican’s financial watchdog authority
Jan 23, 2020 / 07:30 amThe new head of the Vatican Financial Intelligence Authority (AIF) announced Thursday that the Vatican’s internal financial watchdog’s suspension from an international group has been revoked, and the AIF can resume collaboration with foreign financial intelligence units.
Taiwan president appeals to Pope Francis over China’s 'abuse of power'
Jan 22, 2020 / 08:00 amTaiwan president Tsai Ing-wen has written to Pope Francis describing China’s aggression and persecution of religion as “obstacles to peace,” and detailing the Communist regime’s "abuses of power."
French Senate debates IVF law after thousands protest in Paris streets
Jan 21, 2020 / 13:00 pmDebate began on a bioethics bill in the French Senate Tuesday after tens of thousands of people marched through the streets of Paris to protest state funding for medically assisted procreation for lesbian couples and single women.
Pope Francis denounces ‘barbaric resurgence’ of anti-Semitism
Jan 20, 2020 / 08:00 amPope Francis Monday condemned the “barbaric resurgence” of cases of anti-Semitism in the world, and urged the need to respect each person’s human dignity.
Pope Francis: The Church never tires of announcing God’s love
Jan 15, 2020 / 04:00 amWhile often persecuted and misunderstood, the Church never tires of announcing the love of God made present in Jesus Christ, Pope Francis said Wednesday.
World's youngest Catholic bishop consecrated in Ukraine
Jan 14, 2020 / 15:01 pmThe world’s youngest Catholic bishop was consecrated in Ukraine Sunday.
South Sudan peace declaration signed in Rome
Jan 14, 2020 / 13:30 pmThe Republic of South Sudan and the South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA) have signed a peace declaration in Rome Sunday that will go into effect Jan. 15.
Gaza Exodus: Helping Christians caught in a crisis
Jan 14, 2020 / 00:47 amWith fewer than 1,000 Christians in a population of 1.8 million, the Christian population in Palestine’s Gaza Strip today is less than half of what it was 10 years ago.
Pope Francis: It is beautiful when babies cry at Mass
Jan 12, 2020 / 04:30 amPope Francis baptized 32 babies in the Sistine Chapel Sunday, telling parents not to worry if their children cry at Mass.
Pope Francis to diplomats: Polarization hurts the poor
Jan 9, 2020 / 05:00 amIn his annual address to diplomats Thursday, Pope Francis stressed that solidarity is needed in 2020 to overcome polarization for the sake of the poor, who suffer when the common good is disregarded.
Archbishop Warda: US-Iran tensions threaten Iraq's Christian communities
Jan 8, 2020 / 11:48 amAfter Iran attacked an air base in Erbil early Wednesday, the Chaldean Archbishop of Erbil said the current tensions between Iran and the U.S. threaten the fragile Christian communities in Iraq’s Nineveh Plains.
Pope Francis: God acts in the midst of our trials and failures
Jan 8, 2020 / 05:00 amLove for God is always fruitful, Pope Francis said Wednesday, stressing that Christ can bring good out of any circumstance -- even an apparent failure.
Iranian nuncio appeals for negotiation, not revenge
Jan 7, 2020 / 11:25 amAs tensions escalate between Iran and the United States following the killing of Qasem Soleimani, the pope’s diplomat in Tehran is appealing for dialogue.
Pope Francis: When we do not worship God, we worship ourselves
Jan 6, 2020 / 04:15 amOn the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, Pope Francis said worship of Christ reveals the true meaning of our journey of life, as it did for the magi in the Gospel.