Posts Tagged
Courtney Mares
Pope Francis at Epiphany Mass: Let us adore Christ like the Magi

by Courtney Mares Vatican City, Jan 6, 2022 / 06:00 am On the Solemnity of the Epiphany, Pope Francis encouraged people to spend time in the presence of Christ in adoration, like the Magi. “Let us never forget this: the journey of faith finds renewed strength and fulfillment only when …
Pope Francis: Society loses when ‘dogs and cats take the place of children’

by Courtney Mares Vatican City, Jan 5, 2022 / 04:20 am Pope Francis said on Wednesday that it is a civilizational loss when dogs and cats replace children in society, encouraging couples to “take the risk” to become parents. “The other day, I was talking about the demographic winter that …
Pope Francis: Let us place the new year under the protection of Mary

by Courtney Mares Vatican City, Jan 1, 2022 / 09:35 am On New Year’s Day, Pope Francis encouraged people to place their lives under the protection of Mary, the Mother of God. “The new year begins under the sign of the Holy Mother of God, under the sign of the …
Assisi is illuminated with Giotto’s frescoes this Christmas season

by Courtney Mares Assisi, Italy, Dec 17, 2021 / 15:17 pm Saint Francis’ hometown of Assisi has once again been illuminated with Giotto’s frescoes this Christmas season. The frescoes from the interior of the Basilica of St. Francis are being projected each night onto the town’s churches from Dec. 8 …
Dutch Catholic bishops cancel Christmas Midnight Masses due to COVID-19 pandemic

by Courtney Mares Rome Newsroom, Dec 1, 2021 / 08:30 am Catholic bishops in the Netherlands have decided to cancel Christmas Midnight Masses once again this year as a precaution to stop the spread of COVID-19. The Dutch bishops announced on Dec. 1 that no Catholic Masses or other parish …
Immaculate Conception: Pope Francis cancels public act of veneration again due to pandemic

by Courtney Mares Vatican City, Nov 29, 2021 / 04:37 am For the second year in a row, Pope Francis has canceled the Roman tradition of a public gathering at the Spanish Steps on Dec. 8 to venerate a statue of the Immaculate Conception due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The …
Pope Francis prays for Wisconsin parade victims

by Courtney Mares Vatican City, Nov 23, 2021 / 06:38 am Pope Francis is praying for the people injured and killed by an SUV that plowed into marchers during a Christmas parade in the Milwaukee suburb of Waukesha, the Vatican press office said Tuesday. A message sent to Archbishop Jerome …
Journalists protest as Vatican cancels live coverage of Joe Biden greeting Pope Francis

by Courtney Mares Vatican City, Oct 28, 2021 / 10:30 am One day before U.S. President Joe Biden is due to meet with Pope Francis, the Vatican canceled its scheduled live broadcast of the meeting without explanation. Journalists in the Vatican press corps — who will also not be allowed …
John Paul II’s mom chose life after her doctor advised an abortion

by Courtney Mares Rome Newsroom, Oct 22, 2021 / 07:00 am Over one hundred years ago on May 18, Emilia Wojtyla gave birth to her second son, Karol, after a difficult and life-threatening pregnancy. The child would grow up to be St. John Paul II. In a new book published …
Godfather ban: Sicilian Catholic diocese suspends naming of godparents at baptism for 3 years

by Courtney Mares Rome Newsroom, Oct 20, 2021 / 06:10 am There will be no godfathers named in the Sicilian archdiocese of Catania for the next three years due to a decree issued by the archbishop that came into full effect this month. Archbishop Salvatore Gristina of Catania has said …