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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 meets with the Pontifical Liturgical Institute in the Apostolic Palace on May 7, 2022. Vatican Media

Pope Francis: "It’s not possible to worship God while making the liturgy a battleground"

Pope Francis said that the liturgy should not be “a battleground” for “outdated issues.”

Pope Francis and the archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, at the Vatican on Oct. 5, 2021. Vatican Media

South Sudan Trip a "pilgrimage of peace", Pope Francis and Archbishop of Canterbury Say

"In anticipation of our pilgrimage of peace this coming summer, we look forward to visiting your great country.”

Pope Francis meets participants in the plenary assembly of the International Union of Superiors General on May 5, 2022. Vatican Media.

Pope Francis Encourages Religious Orders to "make their synodal journey"

The pope spoke off the cuff to members of the International Union of Superiors General.

Pope Francis’ general audience in St. Peter’s Square, May 4, 2022. Daniel Ibanez/CNA

Pope Francis Apologizes for Not Leaving His Chair at Wednesday Audience

‘Unfortunately, I won’t be able to stop among you due to my knee injury,’ the pope said.

Pope Francis speaks at the general audience in St. Peter's Square on May 4, 2022. Daniel Ibanez/CNA

Faith Not Something Only "for old people": Pope Francis

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

Pope Francis meets members of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors at the Vatican, April 29, 2022. Vatican Media.

Pope Francis Asks for Annual Report on Church’s Efforts to Prevent Abuse

The pontiff was addressing the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.

Pope Francis meets members of the Papal Foundation in the Vatican’s Clementine Hall, April 28, 2022. Vatican Media.

Pope Francis Thanks Papal Foundation for Aid to Ukraine

The pope said that the foundation brings ‘love, hope, and mercy’ to those it supports.

St. Peter holding the keys / Bohumil Petrik/CNA

Pope Francis Updates Canon Law on Dismissal from Religious Institutes

The change follows sweeping reform of the Catholic Church’s penal sanctions.

Pope Francis during his general audience in Paul VI Hall on January 26, 2022. Daniel Ibanez/CNA

Pope Francis: Jesus Frees Us from the "paralysis" of Laziness and Selfishness

The pope met with young people participating in a missionary youth conference.

Pope Francis pictured at the Easter Vigil Mass on April 16, 2022. Daniel Ibanez/CNA

God is Weeping for the Victims of the Ukraine War: Pope Francis

The pope offered a reflection on "Our Lady of Tears."

The dome of St. Peter's Basilica. Luxerendering/Shutterstock.

Pope Names Secretaries of Doctrinal, Disciplinary Sections of Vatican’s Doctrine of Faith

Under Pope Francis’ reform of the Roman Curia, the internal structure of the CDF has been reorganized into two sections.

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square on April 18, 2022. Daniel Ibanez/CNA

Catholic Education Vital in "an age awash in information": Pope Francis

Pope Francis has said that Catholic education and formation are more important than ever in “an age awash in information...

Pope Francis greets 80,000 teens on pilgrimage in St. Peter’s Square on April 18, 2022. Vatican Media

Pope Francis Tells 80,000 Youth Pilgrims to Ask Our Lady for Courage to Do God’s Will

The youth pilgrimage was organized in an effort to reach out to young people whose lives were upended during the...

Major Serhiy Volyna, who has been leading the 36th marine brigade in the battle for the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol, pictured holding his letter to Pope Francis. Religious Information Service of Ukraine

Ukrainian Soldier Appeals to Pope Francis to Help Save People of Mariupol, a Besieged City

Major Serhiy Volyna, who has been leading the 36th marine brigade in the battle for the Ukrainian port city of...

Pope Francis prays at the Easter Vigil Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on April 16, 2022. Daniel Ibanez/CNA

The Risen Lord Has Robbed Evil of its Power: Pope Francis at Easter Vigil Mass

Pope Francis did not preside over the Easter Vigil Mass, but he delivered the homily and baptized seven people.

Pope Francis holds up a flag which he said was brought to him from “the martyred city” of Bucha, Ukraine at his general audience on April 6, 2022. Vatican Media

Blood of Bucha Victims "cries out to heaven" for End to Ukraine War: Pope Francis

The pope held up a blue and yellow flag which he said was brought to him from “the martyred city”...

Pope Francis speaks during his weekly general audience on April 6, 2022. Vatican Media

We are Witnessing the "impotence" of the UN in Ukraine war: Pope Francis

The pope made the comments during a reflection on his recent trip to Malta at his weekly general audience.

Pope Francis celebrates Mass at the Granaries in Floriana, Malta, April 3, 2022. Vatican Media.

Pope Francis in Malta: God’s Endless Mercy Means No One is "irredeemable"

The pope urged Malta’s Catholics to be ‘tireless witnesses’ of God’s mercy.

Pope Francis speaks to journalists aboard the papal flight to Malta on April 2, 2022. Courtney Mares/CNA

Pope Francis Says Papal Visit to Ukraine’s Capital, Kyiv, is “on the table”

Pope Francis on Saturday said a papal visit to Kyiv is "on the table," raising the possibility of a dramatic...

Pope Francis met with the Italian Autism Foundation in the Vatican's Clementine Hall on April 1, 2022. Vatican Media

Pope Francis Advocates for Inclusion of People with Disabilities in Society

The pope underlined that the Church in particular is called to help those with disabilities to “make their voices heard.”