Articles by Courtney Mares
Good Friday at the Vatican: Christ is among the pariahs
Apr 19, 2019 / 09:00 amAt the Vatican’s Good Friday service, the papal preacher connected Christ’s Passion with all in history who have suffered the degradation of their human dignity, highlighting in particular the experience of African-American slaves.
'Mary, dry our tears': French priests respond to Notre-Dame blaze
Apr 16, 2019 / 11:00 amFather Pierre Amar was praying in Notre-Dame de Paris at 5 p.m. Monday evening to prepare spiritually for the Easter Triduum; hours later he was ringing the “funeral bells” at his parish to mourn the flames consuming the “mother of all the cathedrals in France.”
Pope Francis on Palm Sunday: True triumph is found in Christ’s humility
Apr 14, 2019 / 03:37 amOn Palm Sunday, Pope Francis warned against the temptation of “triumphalism,” encouraging Catholics to follow Jesus’s way of humility and obedience exemplified in His Passion.
Pope Francis makes surprise visit to Alzheimer's patients
Apr 12, 2019 / 10:30 amPope Francis paid a surprise visit to a center for Alzhiemer’s patients Friday afternoon.
Pope Francis: Peace is possible in South Sudan
Apr 11, 2019 / 11:01 amPope Francis Thursday told the formerly warring leaders of South Sudan that peace is possible in their fledgling country through the power of Christ’s resurrection.
South Korea's abortion ban could be overturned this week
Apr 10, 2019 / 10:09 amA pro-life doctor in South Korea is asking the international community for prayers, as the country’s constituional court considers whether to overturn its national abortion ban April 11.
Pope Francis explains the most dangerous attitude in Christian life
Apr 10, 2019 / 02:49 amPope Francis warned Wednesday that pride is the most dangerous attitude in the Christian life, pointing out that even the holiest of people have received everything from God.
Archbishop of Canterbury joins Pope Francis to co-host South Sudan retreat
Apr 9, 2019 / 11:59 amThe leaders of the newest country in the world will meet this week in the smallest country in the world.
Holy See tells UN a 'right to abortion' defies moral, legal standards
Apr 8, 2019 / 11:01 amThe Holy See’s representative to the United Nations told the UN Commission on Population and Development that insistence upon a “right to abortion” at their annual spring meeting detracts from the commission’s efforts to address the real needs to mothers and children.
This 9-year-old cancer patient who ‘never complained’ is now on the path to sainthood
Apr 8, 2019 / 09:38 amPope Francis Monday recognized the heroic virtue of nine-year old Brazilian boy, who “never complained” during cancer treatments, but instead offered his suffering to Jesus.
From influencers to cyborgs, Pope Francis has tech advice for young people
Apr 5, 2019 / 08:40 amDiscussing current digital trends, from “influencers” to cyborgs to “zapping,” Pope Francis’ recent apostolic letter to young people contains both buzzwords and moral advice for Millenial and iGen digital natives.
Pope Francis to host 'spiritual retreat' for leaders of war-torn South Sudan
Apr 4, 2019 / 11:23 amThe Vatican will host a “spiritual retreat” for South Sudan’s president and opposition leader as they navigate the peace process in the war torn country, a Vatican spokesman confirmed Wednesday.
Pope Francis names Wilton Gregory to follow Wuerl at Washington archdiocese
Apr 4, 2019 / 03:00 amPope Francis Thursday named Archbishop Wilton Gregory the Archbishop of Washington, succeeding Cardinal Donald Wuerl.
Pope Francis: God desires solidarity among Catholics and Muslims
Apr 3, 2019 / 05:33 amReflecting upon his recent apostolic journey to Morocco, Pope Francis said Wednesday that God desires a greater sense of fraternity among Catholics and Muslims as “brother children of Abraham.”
Pope Francis asks youth for help in ‘preventing atrocities’ of abuse
Apr 2, 2019 / 08:40 amPope Francis has called upon young people to be vigilant in the face of “horrible crimes” of clerical sexual abuse, and to confront priests “at risk” of betraying the trust of their office.
Pope Francis: Freedom of conscience in danger in 'Christian countries'
Mar 31, 2019 / 14:45 pmPope Francis decried the regression of freedom of conscience in “Christian countries” during an in-flight press conference Sunday, telling reporters on his return trip from Morocco, “let’s not accuse Muslims”.
Pope Francis in Morocco: 'Let the culture of mercy grow'
Mar 31, 2019 / 08:11 amPope Francis celebrated Mass in the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat Sunday, calling upon the Moroccan people to “let the culture of mercy grow.”
Pope Francis urges religious communities to charity and dialogue in Morocco
Mar 31, 2019 / 05:23 amPope Francis urged religious communities in Morocco to practice an “ecumencism of charity,” calling for dialogue, not proselytism, in the Muslim-majority country Sunday.
Francis: Let us restore Confession ‘to the place it deserves’ in Catholic life
Mar 29, 2019 / 13:09 pmPope Francis called for the Sacrament of Confession to be elevated in the pastoral life of the Church during a Lenten penitential liturgy in St. Peter’s Basilica Friday.
Pope Francis: 'Sacramental confession is the way of sanctification'
Mar 29, 2019 / 09:28 amPope Francis told priests and seminarians Friday that the sacrament of penance is “the way of sanctification” in which miraculous conversions occur.