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 in St. Peter's Square, June 25, 2022. Daniel Ibanez/CNA

"I believe it is time to rethink the concept of a just war": Pope Francis

In an interview published Friday, Pope Francis said that he believes it is time to rethink the concept of “just...

Priests protest at the funeral of Father Vitus Borogo in the archdiocese of Kaduna on June 30, 2022. Photos courtesy of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kaduna

Nigerian Archbishop Cries at Gravesite of Slain Prest as Catholics Protest Violence

“People are tired of the killing," a priest from the Archdiocese of Kaduna told CNA.

Pope Francis delivers a homily from a wheelchair, June 5, 2022. Vatican Media

Pope Francis Misses Meeting with Jewish Delegation Due to Knee Pain

Pope Francis missed a meeting with a Jewish delegation on Thursday morning after experiencing a flare-up of knee pain, according...

Pope Francis walks with a cane at the beginning of a meeting with Brazilian bishops on June 27, 2022. Vatican Media

Pope Francis Says His Mobility Has Improved, He Has "been able to walk for three days"

The 85-year-old pope has used a wheelchair for many of his public audiences for nearly two months.

Pope Francis met with members of the Society of Saint Paul on June 18, 2022. Vatican Media

Follow St. Paul’s Wisdom When Using Tech to Spread the Gospel: Pope Francis

The pope also warned about “disinformation” in today’s media environment.

Pope Francis met participants in the Syro-Malabar Youth Leaders Conference on 18 June 2022. Credit: Vatican Media

The Virgin Mary Teaches Us "to live eucharistically": Pope Francis

The Blessed Virgin Mary never allowed herself to be “paralyzed by pride or fear,” but she arose and went with...

Pope Francis meets with members of the editorship of the theological magazine La Scuola Cattolica at the Vatican's Consistory Hall, June 17, 2022. Vatican Media.

Candidates for the Priesthood Must Be Well Scrutinized: Pope Francis

The pope was speaking to seminary formators from the Milan archdiocese.

Pope Francis greets a participant in the World Day of the Poor in Rome, Nov. 16, 2017. L'Osservatore Romano.

No Christian is Exempt from Aiding the Poor: Pope Francis

The pope made the remark in his message for the 2022 World Day of the Poor.

Pope Francis sat at the front of the congregation in St. Peter's Basilica on the Solemnity of Pentecost on June 5, 2022. Vatican Media

On Pentecost, Pope Francis Explains How to Recognize the Voice of the Holy Spirit

The pope delivered his homily from a wheelchair in front of the main altar of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Bishop Dominique Rey of Fréjus-Toulon. Claude Truong-Ngoc via Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Vatican Asks for Suspension of Ordinations in French Diocese after a “fraternal visit”

The Vatican has asked a diocese in southern France to suspend its ordinations of priests and deacons scheduled for this...

Bishop Giorgio Marengo, Prefect of Ulaanbaatar, who will be elevated to cardinal Aug. 27, 2022. Amunra Magnus via Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

47-year-old Consolata Missionary Bishop in Mongolia to Become the Youngest Cardinal

A Consolata missionary Bishop who has ministered in the East Asian nation of Mongolia for nearly 20 years will soon...

Pope Francis’ general audience in St. Peter’s Square, June 1, 2022. Vatican Media.

Old age a Time to Rediscover Trust in the Lord: Pope Francis

The pope was speaking at the general audience in St. Peter’s Square.

null. Pope Francis photo courtesy of Vatican Media.

Bring the Love of Jesus’ Sacred Heart "to the ends of the earth": Pope Francis

The month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Pope Francis meets participants in the international conference ‘Lines of Development of the Global Compact on Education’ in a room adjacent to the Vatican's Paul VI Hall, June 1, 2022. Vatican Media.

Guarding "dead traditions" is Dangerous for the Church’s Life: Pope Francis

The pope was speaking to participants in an international conference on education.

Vatican Unveils Schedule for the 2022 World Meeting of Families in June

The 10th World Meeting of Families will be held in Rome on June 22-26.

Cardinal Tagle at the beatification of Pauline Jaricot in Lyon, France, on May 22, 2022. In Your Name/Diocèse de Lyon Flickr photostream.

Missionary Dioceses Need Support with Abuse Prevention Protocols: Vatican Cardinal

‘They need psychologists. They need canon lawyers,’ the Vatican cardinal said.

Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun departs the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome, Nov. 18, 2014. Bohumil Petrik/CNA.

Cardinal Zen Appears in Court in Hong Kong, Enters Plea of Not Guilty Alongside Co-accused

The date set for Cardinal Zen’s trial is Sept. 19.

Pope Francis met with members of the De La Salle Christian Brothers on May 21, 2022. Vatican Media

Catholic Schools Should Not be Christian in Name Only: Pope Francis

The pope spoke to the De La Salle Christian Brothers.

People from more than 20 countries take part in a video call hosted by the Vatican Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life on May 19, 2022. Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life Flickr photostream.

Vatican Hosts Synod Listening Session with Disabled Catholics

‘I’m in debt to people with disabilities,’ said Cardinal Grech. ‘One of them led me on the path of a...

Pope Francis meets Kateryna Prokopenko and Yulya Fedosiuk in St. Peter’s Square on May 11, 2022. Vatican Media.

Pope Francis Meets Wives of Ukrainian Soldiers Fighting to Defend Mariupol

‘You are our last hope. We hope that you can save their lives. Please don’t let them die.’