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.

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculation Conception in Ouagadougou. Credit: Rita Willaert via Flickr (CC BY-NC 2.0).

There Were Over 800 Extremist Attacks in West Africa in 2019

Extremist attacks have risen dramatically in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, from 180 incidents in 2017 to more than 800...

Pope Francis celebrates Gaudete Sunday Mass with Rome's Filipino community Dec. 15, 2019. Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA.

Pope Francis Celebrates a Filipino Christmas Tradition at the Vatican

On Gaudete Sunday, Pope Francis celebrated a Filipino Christmas tradition in St. Peter’s Basilica -- the Simbang Gabi Christmas novena.

Christmas tree in St. Peter's Square on December 9, 2016. Credit: Vatican Media/CNA.

Pope Francis: Advent is a Time of Conversion

As Pope Francis blessed children's nativity scene figurines Sunday, the pope said that the Advent season is a time of...

A young Fr. Jorge Mario Bergoglio. Credit: Society of Jesus

Pope Francis Celebrates 50th Ordination Anniversary by Honoring his Mentor

Fifty years ago on Dec. 13, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was ordained a Jesuit priest in Argentina. As pope, he will...

Pope Francis at the General Audience in St. Peter's Square, Oct. 16, 2019. Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA.

Pope Francis: The World Needs Peacemakers Open to Dialogue, Forgiveness

Pope Francis’ message for the 2020 World Day of Peace released Thursday calls for openness to dialogue, commitment to forgiveness,...

Pope Francis greets religious sisters at a general audience Oct. 30, 2019. Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA.

Pope Francis: 'Holiness is the true light of the Church'

Pope Francis said Thursday that the often hidden holiness lived out in everyday life is a true light within the...

Pope Francis Prays for Chile After Plane Disappears Near Antarctica

Pope Francis is closely following the news of the Chilean military plane bound for Antarctica that went missing with 38...

The 2019 Vatican nativity scene and Christmas tree. Credit: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis: Don't Forget the Real Meaning of Christmas

Ahead of the Vatican Christmas tree lighting Dec. 5, Pope Francis expressed hope that the nativity scene in St. Peter’s...

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square Nov. 13, 2019. Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA.

Pope Francis Tells Jesuits He is Shocked by Anti-immigration Narratives in Europe

Pope Francis decried the mistreatment of migrants and said that he is shocked by anti-immigration narratives within Europe during a...

Pope Francis celebrates Mass in St. Peter's Basilica Dec. 1, 2019. Credit: Vatican Media.

Advent advice from Pope Francis: Choose prayer and charity over consumerism

This Advent, choose prayer and charity over consumerism, Pope Francis said Sunday in his first Mass of the liturgical year.

Pope Francis advises Roman Rota formation course Nov. 30, 2019. Credit: Vatican Media/CNA.

Pope Francis: The Church Seeks Truth and Healing for Wounded Marriages

Pope Francis said Saturday that the Church suffers with couples who are in a “wounded marriage,” and seeks their healing...

Pope Francis at the Caritas Citadel of Charity in Rome. Credit: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis Visits a Local Charity in Rome with a Message of Solidarity

In a visit to Rome’s Caritas center Friday, Pope Francis emphasized the shared experience of vulnerability among Christ and the...

Pope Francis greets Cardinal Luis Francisco Ladaria, who as prefect of the CDF, leads the International Theological Commission. Credit: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis: Synodality is what the Lord expects of the Church

Pope Francis told the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith’s theological commission Friday that synodality will be key for...

Mass for the World Day of the Poor in St. Peter's Basilica. Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA.

Pope Francis: The Poor, Unborn, and Elderly are Neglected in the Frenzy of Modern Life

On the World Day of the Poor, Pope Francis said that the poor and most vulnerable can be left behind...

Pope Francis meets staff of the Vatican Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life Nov. 16, 2019. Credit: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis: Women’s Voices are Needed in Vatican Leadership

Pope Francis said Saturday that more women are needed in positions of leadership in the Vatican.

Pope Francis venerates the cross on Good Friday April 19, 2019. Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA.

Pope Francis' Message to Those Suffering 'at the foot of the cross'

Pope Francis told those who are sick and suffering Friday that the world needs their prayers.

Pope Francis Urges Dialogue in Face of Ongoing Jihadist Violence in Burkina Faso

Pope Francis urged interreligious dialogue in Burkina Faso Wednesday as ongoing violence by jihadist groups has killed more than 750...

Pope Francis Denounces Rise in Anti-Semitism

Pope Francis denounced rising anti-Semitism Wednesday as an attitude that is inhumane and unchristian.

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square Oct. 23, 2019. Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA

Pope Francis: Inclusive Capitalism Leaves No One Behind

Pope Francis Monday called for the renewal and purification of economic models to be fair, trustworthy, and capable of extending...

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square Nov. 6, 2019. Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA

Pope Francis: St. Paul Announced Christ to 'idol worshippers' Without Attacking Them

St. Paul announced Jesus Christ to “idol worshippers” in Athens without attacking them, but by building bridges, Pope Francis said...