Articles by Courtney Mares
Pope Francis prays for monsoon victims in India
Aug 12, 2019 / 08:00 amPope Francis offered prayers and condolences Monday for the victims of monsoon flooding in southern India that has left more than 150 people dead.
Pope Francis: War is always a loss for all humanity
Aug 11, 2019 / 08:14 amPope Francis marked the 70th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions Sunday with a message urging the protection of life and human dignity in armed conflicts.
St. Dominic, a dog, and divine fire
Aug 8, 2019 / 09:03 amThe first image to greet visitors to the basilica containing the tomb of St. Dominic in Bologna, Italy is a mosaic of the saint next to a dog carrying a flaming torch in its mouth.
McCarrick's grooming tactics shown in letters to seminarians and abuse victims
Aug 6, 2019 / 07:14 amLetters from Theodore McCarrick to his abuse victims were published Tuesday by the Associated Press, in advance of a promised Vatican report on a Church investigation into the life of the former bishop.
White roses fall inside Roman basilica to mark 4th century Marian miracle
Aug 5, 2019 / 09:09 amWhite rose petals fell from the ceiling of St. Mary Major Basilica Monday, as Romans celebrated the anniversary of a 4th century Marian miracle.
Catholic scout troops in Europe find fellowship in sacraments, service
Aug 2, 2019 / 14:06 pmThis week, as many as 5,000 Catholic scouts are walking historic pilgrimage routes to Rome that will culminate in a private audience with Pope Francis and a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica Aug. 3.
The Dormition Fast: The Eastern Christian season leading to the Assumption
Jul 31, 2019 / 02:01 amEach year the Eastern Catholic Churches, as well as other Eastern Christians, participate in a fasting season Aug. 14 in preparation for the Aug. 15 feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God (which is celebrated as the Assumption in the Latin rite).
After deadly shipwreck, Pope Francis appeals for safety of migrants
Jul 28, 2019 / 04:45 amAs up to 150 migrants are feared to have drowned in a shipwreck off the coast of Libya, Pope Francis made an appeal to the international community Sunday to act decisively to ensure the safety and dignity of migrants.
Cardinal Jaime Ortega, Archbishop of Havana for 34 years, dies at 82
Jul 27, 2019 / 08:04 amCardinal Jaime Lucas Ortega y Alamino, who served as Archbishop of Havana for more than 34 years, died Friday at the age of 82 after a months-long battle with cancer.
Benedict XVI pays a surprise visit to Castel Gandolfo
Jul 26, 2019 / 03:00 amPope Emeritus Benedict XVI left Vatican City Thursday to make a surprise visit to Castel Gandolfo.
Pope Francis names vice director of Holy See press office
Jul 25, 2019 / 04:00 amPope Francis Thursday appointed Cristiane Murray as vice director of the Holy See Press Office.
On prevention of child abuse, Pope Francis points to St. John Bosco's example
Jul 24, 2019 / 13:00 pmIn an unscripted video message that appears to have been recorded on a cell phone, Pope Francis spoke of the need for an “apostolate of prevention” to protect minors from abuse.
Pope Francis names Bp Mark Brennan to follow Bransfield at West Virginia diocese
Jul 23, 2019 / 03:01 amPope Francis Tuesday named Bishop Mark Brennan the Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston, West Virginia following financial corruption and alleged sexual assault by the former bishop of the diocese Michael J. Bransfield.
UK government considering sanctions for religious freedom violators
Jul 18, 2019 / 09:03 amUK Ambassador to the Holy See Sally Axworthy said this week that the UK government will consider a recommendation to impose sanctions on foreign governments that violate religious freedom.
This Roman basilica is dedicated to 20th century martyrs
Jul 14, 2019 / 15:08 pmOn an island in Rome’s Tiber River, there is a basilica devoted to the Christian martyrs of the 20th century, the bloodiest century in the history of the Catholic Church.
St. Benedict Church in Rome celebrates feast with 40 hour adoration vigil
Jul 11, 2019 / 04:45 amBefore St. Benedict left for Subiaco, he studied in Rome, where today there is a little-known chapel built on the site believed to be his former residence.
Pope Francis prays for migrants killed in airstrike in Libya
Jul 7, 2019 / 05:00 amPope Francis prayed Sunday for the victims of the airstrike that hit a migrant detention center in Libya, and called upon the international community to condemn the violence.
Pope Francis tells Ukrainian Catholic leaders to persevere in hope amid Donbas conflict
Jul 6, 2019 / 09:45 amOne day following his private audience with Vladimir Putin, Pope Francis met Friday with leaders of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, encouraging them to persevere in hope and prayer amid the conflict in Donbas.
Archbishop Fulton Sheen to be beatified
Jul 6, 2019 / 03:00 amPope Francis approved the miracle attributed to Archbishop Fulton Sheen Friday, making possible the American television catechist's beatification.
Putin visits Pope Francis on July 4th
Jul 4, 2019 / 07:30 amRussian President Vladimir Putin met with Pope Francis at the Vatican July 4 for a 55-minute private discussion about international affairs.