Courtney Mares is a Rome Correspondent for Catholic News Agency. With a focus on religion, spirituality, and cultural issues, she explores themes related to Christianity, church administration, and religious practices, drawing from her extensive reporting experience across three continents. Courtney's work has been featured in numerous respected outlets, including The Catholic Herald, National Catholic Register, and Inside The Vatican Inc.
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Courtney Mares' consistent coverage of Vatican and Catholic Church-related topics, particularly government announcements and events, suggests a clear focus on official statements and significant developments within the institution. To effectively reach out to her, consider providing in-depth insights or analysis related to contemporary issues within the Catholic Church, such as synodality or changes in church doctrine.
Given Courtney's national geographic focus on the United States, she may also be interested in stories that have implications for American Catholics or how global events impact local communities. Additionally, considering her emphasis on culture & society and family & relationships themes intertwined with religious matters could help tailor pitches for her beat.
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By: Courtney Mares
Pope Leo XIV speaks Oct. 7, 2026, as he opens the weeklong Vatican meeting of presidents of bishops' conferences marking the 10th anniversary of "Amoris Laetitia" ("The Joy of Love.") The pope spoke about the pastoral responsibility of the Church to find renewed ways of proclaiming the Gospel, offering sacramental graces and accompanying families today. (OSV News photo/Simone Risoluti, Vatican Media)
By: Courtney Mares
Pope Leo XIV offers his advice to young people on finding authentic true love and commitment in marriage in a new book foreword published 6 October.
By: Courtney Mares
Pope Leo XIV leads a prayer Oct. 7, 2026, as he opens the weeklong Vatican meeting of presidents of bishops’ conferences marking the 10th anniversary of "Amoris Laetitia" (The Joy of Love"). In his opening remarks, the pope spoke about the pastoral responsibility of the Church to find renewed ways of proclaiming the Gospel, offering sacramental graces and accompanying families today. (OSV News photo/Simone Risoluti, Vatican Media)
By: Courtney Mares
Pope Leo XIV leads a prayer Oct. 7, 2026, as he opens the weeklong Vatican meeting of presidents of bishops’ conferences marking the 10th anniversary of "Amoris Laetitia" (The Joy of Love"). In his opening remarks, the pope spoke about the pastoral responsibility of the Church to find renewed ways of proclaiming the Gospel, offering sacramental graces and accompanying families today. (OSV News photo/Simone Risoluti, Vatican Media)
By: Courtney Mares
Cardinal Ferrão, the president of India's bishops' conference and archbishop of Goa and Daman, talked about a parish's success with pastoral family visits and phone-free family evenings.
By: Pablo Esparza, Courtney Mares
Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão of Goa, India, approaches the Petriano entrance to the Vatican ahead of the fifth general congregation meeting of cardinals April 28, 2025. On Oct. 8, 2026, the second day of Pope Leo XIV's meeting to mark the 10th anniversary of "Amoris Laetitia," Cardinal Ferrão told the Vatican bishops'meeting about success a parish in his archdiocese in India has had with pastoral family visits and phone-free family evenings.
By: Courtney Mares
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, delivers the homily at the beatification Mass for Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen held Sept. 24, 2026, at The Dome at America's Center in St. Louis. (OSV News photo/Margaret Murray)
By: Courtney Mares
On the third day of a weeklong Vatican meeting on marriage and family Oct. 9, Catholic bishops grappled with a trend that worries many Church leaders: young couples choosing to live together rather than wed.
By: Courtney Mares
Pope Leo XIV appointed Oct. 10 Archbishop Vittorio Francesco Viola as the new archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica and the pope's vicar for Vatican City.
By: Courtney Mares
Archbishop Vittorio Francesco Viola, former secretary of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, has been named as the new archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica. (OSV News/CPP/Alessia Giuliani)
