Articles by Courtney Mares
Pope Francis: The Holy Spirit unites the Church, despite sin and scandal
Jun 19, 2019 / 02:15 amPope Francis said Wednesday that the Holy Spirit unites and grows the Church despite human limitations, sins and scandal.
International Youth Forum meets to continue work of Synod
Jun 18, 2019 / 06:45 amNearly 250 young adults will meet in Rome this week for the International Youth Forum to discuss how best to implement ideas from the 2018 Synod of Bishops in their home dioceses.
Amazon Synod to consider possible ordination of married men
Jun 17, 2019 / 06:30 amThe working document for the special assembly of the Synod of Bishops for the Pan-amazonian region, released Monday, recommends study of the possibility of ordaining married men in remote areas for the priesthood.
Vatican Secretary of State marks 25 years of diplomatic relations with Israel
Jun 14, 2019 / 05:56 amVatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin marked the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Israel by calling for a shared commitment to religious freedom and combatting anti-Semitism.
Francis tells his ambassadors not to criticize him behind his back
Jun 13, 2019 / 13:04 pmPope Francis sent a message to apostolic nuncios Thursday informing his ambassadors that they have a responsibility as papal representatives not to criticize the pope or to join groups hostile to the Roman curia.
Chartres Pentecost pilgrimage draws 14,000
Jun 13, 2019 / 02:01 amMore than 14,000 Catholics walked 62 miles from Paris to Chartres Cathedral in three days in an annual Pentecost pilgrimage of prayer and penance.
Fr. Augustus Tolton, former African American slave, advances toward sainthood
Jun 12, 2019 / 04:03 amFr. Augustus Tolton advanced along the path to sainthood Wednesday, making the runaway slave-turned-priest one step closer to being the first black American saint.
'Witnesses of freedom and mercy' - Pope Francis remembers bishops martyred under Communism
Jun 5, 2019 / 02:29 amPope Francis Wednesday reflected upon his recent apostolic visit to Romania, where he beatified seven Greek-Catholic bishops martyred under Soviet occupation.
Pope Francis says he draws strength from relationship with Benedict XVI
Jun 2, 2019 / 11:30 amPope Francis said Sunday that his relationship with Benedict XVI gives him strength and reminds him of the living tradition of the Church.
Pope Francis celebrates Mass at Transylvania’s Marian pilgrimage shrine
Jun 1, 2019 / 03:04 amPope Francis celebrated Mass Saturday at a 16th century Marian pilgrimage site in Transylvania, calling upon the Romanians and Hungarians present to “journey together” as a pilgrim people.
Pope Francis in Romania: Imitate Mary's joy in the visitation
May 31, 2019 / 10:18 amPope Francis celebrated Mass in Bucharest for the feast of the Visitation Friday, encouraging Catholics in Romania to imitate Mary’s humble joy in the little things in life.
Pope Francis says Catholics, Orthodox bonded by blood of the martyrs
May 31, 2019 / 08:00 amPope Francis said Friday that Catholics and Orthodox are bonded by a “shared inheritance” of suffering for Christ from the apostles to modern martyrs.
Cardinal Parolin says Vatican will issue declaration on McCarrick investigation
May 30, 2019 / 07:36 amCardinal Pietro Parolin said Wednesday that the Vatican is still investigating the documentation concerning Theodore McCarrick and will issue a declaration upon the investigation’s completion.
Pope Francis responds to heresy accusation, China concerns
May 29, 2019 / 09:05 amPope Francis said he reacted “with a sense of humor” to the accusation of heresy made against him earlier this month.
Pope Francis: The Lord invites us to open our hearts to the Holy Spirit
May 26, 2019 / 04:02 amPope Francis said Sunday that the Church cannot remain static because the Holy Spirit guides her along the paths of history.
Pope Francis appoints new head of Vatican’s interreligious dialogue
May 25, 2019 / 07:28 amPope Francis appointed Spanish Bishop Miguel Ayuso Guixot Saturday as president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.
Pope Francis: 'Abortion is never the answer'
May 25, 2019 / 05:25 amPope Francis said Saturday that abortion is never the answer to difficult prenatal diagnoses, calling selective abortion of the disabled the “expression of an inhuman eugenics mentality.”
China's technological controls keep Christians under constant surveillance
May 23, 2019 / 14:01 pmAs the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square protests approaches, the Chinese Communist Party is utilizing authoritarian tactics old and new to crack down on Christians.
Pope Francis prays for China invoking Mary Help of Christians
May 22, 2019 / 02:56 amPope Francis Wednesday asked Our Lady Help of Christians to intercede for Chinese Catholics, whom he said continue to believe and hope amid trials.
Pope Francis: Bishops who do not know their priests weaken the Church
May 21, 2019 / 03:08 amPope Francis said Monday that each bishop has a duty to have a strong, close relationship with his priests with a firm warning that episcopal aloofness and favoritism weakens the mission of the Church.