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.

Pope Francis’ general audience in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, Feb. 9, 2022. Vatican Media.

Pope Francis Seeks "healthy decentralization" with New Changes to Canon Law

Pope Francis signed the motu proprio on the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Human Trafficking has Created "an open wound on the body of Christ": Pope Francis

His remark came on the International Day of Prayer and Reflection against Human Trafficking.

Pope Francis meets religious sisters at a general audience on Jan. 19, 2022. Vatican Media

Pope Francis Tells Religious Sisters to Fight Back When Mistreated by "men of the Church"

The pope's prayer intention for the month of February is for religious sisters and consecrated women.

Children participating in a Catholic Action initiative helped to release colorful balloons at the end of the Angelus on Jan. 30, 2022. Vatican Media

"The Lord always surprises us": Pope Francis

Pope Francis encouraged people to be open to the newness Jesus wants to bring in their daily lives and to...

Pope Francis meets members of the Catholic Factchecking consortium at the Vatican’s Clementine Hall, Jan. 28, 2022. Vatican Media.

Being "properly informed" on COVID-19 Vaccines is a "human right": Pope Francis

‘Fake news has to be refuted, but individual persons must always be respected,’ he told a Catholic fact-checking group.

Pope Francis Honors Newly Beatified El Salvador Martyrs for their "heroic example"

Father Cosme Spessotto, Father Rutilio Grande, and two lay companions were declared blessed.

Pope Francis meets participants in the plenary session of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith at the Vatican’s Clementine Hall, Jan. 21, 2022. Vatican Media.

The Church is Firmly Committed to Justice for Abuse Victims: Pope Francis

His comments came a day after the publication of the Munich abuse report.

St. Irenaeus of Lyon. Wolfymoza via Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Pope Francis Declares St. Irenaeus 37th Doctor of the Church, with Title "Doctor of Unity"

The saint is revered by both Catholics and Orthodox Christians.

St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 130-202). Public Domain.

It’s official: St. Irenaeus to be Declared a Doctor of the Church

Pope Francis is expected to proclaim Irenaeus a ‘Doctor of Unity.’

Pope Francis’ general audience in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, Jan. 19, 2021. Daniel Ibáñez/CNA.

"God is not afraid of our sins": Pope Francis at Wednesday General Audience

The pope made the comment at his general audience.

Cardinal Kurt Koch and Cardinal Mario Grech. Daniel Ibáñez/CNA and Diocese of Gozo via Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Vatican Asks Catholic Bishops to Invite Local Protestant, Orthodox Leaders in Synodal Path

The letter was sent by Cardinal Kurt Koch and Cardinal Mario Grech.

Pope Francis celebrates Mass on the first Sunday of the Word of God Jan. 26, 2020. Daniel Ibanez/CNA.

Pope Francis to Confer New Lay Ministries for First Time in St. Peter’s Basilica

The candidates come from three continents.

Pope Francis met a delegation affiliated with the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land on Jan. 17, 2022. Vatican Media

The story of the Holy Land is the "Fifth Gospel": Pope Francis

Pope Francis has urged journalists in the Middle East to keep telling stories from the Holy Land.

Pope Francis meets with ecumenical delegation from Finland on Jan. 17, 2022. Vatican Media

Pope Francis Looks Ahead to the 1700th Anniversary of the Council of Nicaea in 2025

Pope Francis highlighted the upcoming anniversaries of two major events in Church history as moments that can help Christians seek...

Pope Francis delivers his Angelus address on Dec. 19, 2021. Vatican Media

Pope Francis Asks Catholics to Offer Their Sufferings for Christian Unity

During his Sunday Angelus address, the pope called on people to take part in the upcoming Week of Prayer for...

Pope Francis celebrates Mass in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta on May 1, 2020, the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker. Vatican Media.

There is Urgent Need for "spiritual fatherhood" Today: Pope Francis

The pope discussed his devotion to St. Joseph in an interview with L’Osservatore Romano.

Pope Francis opens the Holy Doors at St. Peter's Basilica to begin the Year of Mercy, Dec. 8, 2015. L'Osservatore Romano.

Vatican Unveils Motto for 2025 Jubilee Year, Summed Up in "Pilgrims of Hope"

Preparations are already underway in Rome for the 2025 Jubilee, a special year of grace and pilgrimage in the Catholic...

Pope Francis listens as Sister Marije Kaleta speaks in Tirana’s St. Paul Cathedral, Albania, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014. Screenshot from Vatican News YouTube channel.

Catholic Nun Who Secretly Baptized Babies Under Communism Dies at 92

Sister Marije Kaleta risked her life to take Communion to the sick and dying.

Nigerian Cardinal John Onaiyekan speaks at the International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest, Hungary, Sept. 9, 2021. | Daniel Ibáñez/CNA.

"We all weep for these victims": Nigerian Cardinal Responds after Gunmen Kill 200 People

Cardinal Onaiyekan said: ‘They attack farmers’ fields, kill farmers and no one says anything.’

Italian Catholic Bishop Forbids Unvaccinated Priests from Distributing Communion

The new diocesan restrictions come as the Italian government has banned unvaccinated citizens from entering restaurants, public transportation, gyms, theaters,...