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Courtney Mares

Courtney Mares

Courtney Mares is a Rome Correspondent for Catholic News Agency. A graduate of Harvard University, she has reported from news bureaus on three continents and was awarded the Gardner Fellowship for her work with North Korean refugees.

Benedict XVI greeted a fluffy black cat named Pushkin during his visit to the Birmingham Oratory established by St. John Henry Newman. | Courtesy of the Birmingham Oratory

Benedict XVI: A Look Back at the Cat-loving Pope’s Favorite Feline Friends

The late Benedict XVI was known for his intellectual acumen as a theologian and philosopher, but perhaps his most relatable...

Pope Francis presides over the first papal Mass of the new year on Jan. 1, 2023, in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. | Alan Köppschall/EWTN Vatican

Pope Francis Entrusts the Late Benedict XVI to the Blessed Virgin Mary

At the first papal Mass of 2023, thousands of Catholics gathered in St. Peter’s Basilica prayed for the late Pope...

Pope Benedict XVI greets the pilgrims during his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on Oct. 26, 2006. | giulio napolitano / Shutterstock

A Timeline of Pope Benedict XVI’s Extraordinary Life

A Timeline of Pope Benedict XVI’s Extraordinary Life

Nativity scene commissioned by Pope Nicholas IV in 1292. Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA.

First Known Nativity Scene Figurines are on Display in Rome

The first known Nativity scene figurines are currently on display in one of Rome’s oldest basilicas.

With a cane in his right hand, 86-year-old Pope Francis delivers his 10th Christmas "Urbi et Orbi" blessing on Dec. 25, 2022. | Vatican Media

On Christmas Day, Pope Francis Prays for Prince of Peace to end "third world war"

In his Christmas Day blessing, Pope Francis prayed that leaders will listen to the “cries of the Prince of Peace”...

Pope Francis looking at images from Ukraine at the general audience, Dec. 21, 2022 | Vatican Media

Pope Francis: Let us Think of the Ukrainian Children Without Heat this Christmas

Pope Francis has urged Catholics not to forget the many children in Ukraine this Christmas who are suffering without electricity...

Wiktoria Ulma with six of her children. | The Ulma Family Museum of Poles Saving Jews in World War II.

Couple with Seven Children to be Beatified by the Catholic Church for Martyrdom by Nazis

Pope Francis has recognized the martyrdom of a married couple with seven children who were killed by the Nazis for...

Pope Francis celebrated his 86th birthday with the Missionaries of Charity, honoring three people who care for “the poorest of the poor” with the Mother Teresa Award on Dec. 17, 2022. | Vatican Media

Pope Francis Honors People Who Care for "poorest of the poor" on his 86th Birthday

Pope Francis celebrated his 86th birthday on Saturday with the Missionaries of Charity, honoring three people who care for “the...

Pope Francis speaks during his general audience on Oct. 26, 2022. | Vatican Media

In World Peace Day message, Pope Francis asks, "What did we learn from the pandemic?"

In a message sent to heads of state across the world, Pope Francis has asked leaders to reflect on what...

A person takes a photo of Pope Francis on a cell phone during a papal audience on Dec. 10, 2022. | Vatican Media

Pope Francis: Look at Each Other, not Cell Phone Screens

Pope Francis has urged young people to look away from their cell phone screens and make eye contact with the...

Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, Bishop Emeritus of Hong Kong, speaks at the Pontifical Urban University in Rome, 18 November 2014. | Bohumil Petrik/CNA.

Cardinal Zen Appeals Conviction in Hong Kong Court

Cardinal Joseph Zen has filed an appeal with Hong Kong’s High Court following his conviction last month for failing to...

Pope Francis celebrates Mass in Gyumri, Armenia, June 25, 2016. | L'Osservatore Romano/CNA

Pope Francis Compares the Life of a Priest to the Mysteries of the Rosary

Pope Francis told seminarians on Saturday that praying the rosary can “unveil the mysteries of the priesthood” in its moments...

General audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican, Dec. 7, 2022 | Daniel Ibáñez / CNA

Pope Francis: Freedom is Found in Offering to God What is Hardest to Give Up

Pope Francis spoke Wednesday about how freeing it can be to let go of the things that we are most...

The Council of Cardinals meets with Pope Francis on Feb. 21, 2022. | Vatican Media.

Pope’s Cardinal Advisers Discuss Church’s Efforts to Prevent Abuse

At Pope Francis’ meeting with his cardinal advisers this week, Cardinal Sean O’Malley reported on the work of the Pontifical...

The Vatican’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 3, 2022. | Daniel Ibanez/CNA

PHOTOS: Vatican Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony 2022

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Vatican. A large hand-carved wooden nativity scene was unveiled in...

Pope Francis spent time in silent prayer in front of a nativity scene handmade by artisan craftsmen in Guatemala on Dec. 3, 2022. | Photo courtesy of the Embassy of Guatemala to the Holy See

Pope Francis Blesses Nativity Scene Made by Craftsmen in Guatemala

Pope Francis blessed a nativity scene on Saturday that was handmade by artisan craftsmen in Guatemala.

Pope Francis celebrates the International Day of Disabled Persons at the Vatican on Dec. 3, 2022. | Vatican Media

Pope Francis: The Church has a Duty to Welcome People with Disabilities

Pope Francis celebrated the International Day of Disabled Persons on Saturday at the Vatican with a group of children with...

Pope Francis with members of the group Leaders Pour la Paix at the Vatican, Dec. 2, 2022 | Vatican Media

Pope Francis: The Effects of the War in Ukraine are Being Felt all Over the World

Pope Francis said Friday that the war between Russia and Ukraine is an example of the “globalization of problems” with...

Pope Francis speaking at the general audience on St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, 30 November 2022 | Daniel Ibáñez / CNA

Daily Examination of Conscience Helps Avoid Repeating Mistakes: Pope at General Audience

Pope Francis has recommended a daily examination of conscience as an “indispensable” practice in spiritual life.

Pope Francis meets with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I at the Vatican, Oct. 4, 2021. | Vatican Media.

Restoration of Christian Unity "an urgent priority in today’s world": Pope Francis

Pope Francis said Wednesday that the full restoration of communion among all Christians is “an urgent priority in today’s world.”