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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.

Pope Francis lights a candle at the Easter Vigil Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on April 3, 2021. Credit: Vatican Media/CNA.

"The Risen Lord loves us without limits": Pope Francis at Easter Vigil

At the Vatican's Easter Vigil Mass, Pope Francis said that Jesus’ love is without limits and always provides the grace...

Pope Francis Tells Priests at Chrism Mass: "The cross is non-negotiable"

Pope Francis told priests at Thursday’s Chrism Mass at the Vatican that “the cross is non-negotiable” when preaching the Gospel.

Papal almoner Cardinal Konrad Krajewski with homeless people awaiting vaccinations in the atrium of the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican Jan. 20, 2021. Credit: Vatican Media.

Vatican to Vaccinate 1,200 People in Need During Holy Week

The Vatican plans to vaccinate 1,200 people living in poverty during Holy Week with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

A detail from a stained-glass window depicting St. Alphonsus Liguori in Carlow Cathedral, Ireland. / Andreas F. Borchert via Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Pope Francis Marks 150th Anniversary of St. Alphonsus Liguori as Doctor of the Church

Pope Francis has marked the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of St. Alphonsus Liguori as a Doctor of the Church...

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State. / Saeima via Wikimedia (CC BY 2.0).

Vatican Marks World Water Day with Call to End Waste and Contamination

The Vatican has marked World Water Day by urging an end to water waste and contamination.

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square on Feb. 26, 2020. / Daniel Ibáñez/CNA.

Support Working Mothers amid the Coronavirus Pandemic: Pope Francis

Pope Francis has called for more support for working mothers during and after the coronavirus pandemic, saying that women are...

Pope Francis blesses a young boy in the Syriac Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception in Bakhdida, Iraq, on March 7, 2021. Photo credits: Vatican Media.

"Terrorism and death never have the last word": Pope Francis in the Nineveh Plains

Pope Francis entrusted the rebuilding of Christian communities in the Nineveh Plains to the protection of the Virgin Mary at...

Pope Francis addresses local authorities at the Presidential Palace in Baghdad. Credit: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis in Iraq: "The name of God cannot be used to justify acts of murder"

In his first speech in Iraq, Pope Francis called for an end to violence and extremism so that ordinary Iraqis...

Pope Francis greets pilgrims during his Angelus address Feb. 21, 2021. Credit: Vatican Media/CNA.

The Lord Does Not Permit Darkness to Have Last Word: Pope Francis

Pope Francis said Sunday that it is important to remember when facing a difficult trial that the “Lord is Risen...

Pope Francis visits the Bambino Gesu di Palidoro hospital outside Rome, Jan. 5, 2018. Credit: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis Prays for Children Suffering from Rare Diseases

Pope Francis prayed Sunday for children suffering from rare diseases that they may feel “the caress of God’s love and...

Pope Francis, pictured April 17, 2013. Credit: Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk.

Pope Francis Says Seeing a Psychiatrist Helped Him with Anxiety When He Was Younger

Pope Francis has said that seeing a psychiatrist in Argentina helped him with anxiety when he was a younger priest...

The official logo of Pope Francis' visit to Iraq. Credit: Saint-Adday.

Where is Pope Francis Going in Iraq and why? Catholic News Agency Explainer

In a week’s time Pope Francis is expected to make history by becoming the first pope to travel to Iraq....

Pope Francis celebrates the Liturgy of the Passion of Our Lord in St. Peter's Basilica April 14, 2017. Credit: L'Osservatore Romano.

Toward Holy Week 2021: Vatican Issues Guidelines for Catholics amid COVID-19 Restrictions

The Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments issued guidelines on Wednesday for the celebration of...

Credit: Lauren Cater/CNA.

We Have a Lot to Learn this Lent from Persecuted Christians, Advocate Says at Vatican

In approaching the penitential practices of Lent, Catholics can learn a lot from persecuted Christian communities, an advocate for Aid...

Fr. Pedro Opeka. Credit: Anne Aubert/Amici di Padre Pedro via Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Catholic Missionary Cleric in Madagascar Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize

A Catholic missionary priest in Madagascar known for serving the poor living on a landfill has been nominated for this...

Pope Francis is presented with an Aramaic prayer manuscript at the Vatican Feb. 10, 2021. Photo credits: Vatican Media/Ufficio Stampa FOCSIV.

Pope Francis Presented with Historic Prayer Manuscript Saved from Islamic State

Pope Francis was presented on Wednesday with a historic Aramaic prayer manuscript rescued from the Islamic State’s destructive occupation of...

Pope Francis is presented with an Aramaic prayer manuscript at the Vatican Feb. 10, 2021. Photo credits: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis Presented with Historic Prayer Manuscript Saved from ISIS

Pope Francis was presented on Wednesday with a historic Aramaic prayer manuscript that was rescued from the Islamic State’s destructive...

Credit: Photographee.eu / Shutterstock.

In 6,000-word Document, Vatican Calls for Rethinking of Social, Pastoral Care for Elderly

The Vatican called on Tuesday for a rethinking of elder care in a document arguing that the elderly are best...

Pope Francis' video message to prayer marathon against human trafficking Feb. 8, 2021.  YoutTube screenshot.

On St. Bakhita Feast Day, Pope Francis Asks for Prayers for Human Trafficking Victims

Pope Francis has asked people to pray Monday for every person who is currently a victim of human trafficking.

Pope Francis gives a general audience address in the library of the Apostolic Palace Feb. 3, 2021. Credit: Vatican Media.

Without Liturgy, Christianity is Without the Whole of Christ: Pope Francis

Pope Francis said Wednesday that it is essential for Christians to participate in the liturgy and the sacraments to encounter...