HUNTINGTON, Ind. (OSV News) — OSV News is expanding to the Vatican, opening a bureau in Rome and hiring Courtney Mares as its first Vatican Editor, the news organization announced Jan. 20. The expansion comes at a pivotal time in Church history, with the election of the first American pope, Leo XIV, last May.
Mares joins OSV News after providing daily news coverage from Rome as a Vatican correspondent for EWTN News and Catholic News Agency since 2018. She has written and published more than 2,000 news articles on the Vatican, the global Catholic Church and international religious freedom. Mares has received multiple awards from the Catholic Media Association, including first place for Best News Writing on an International Event. A graduate of Harvard University, she has reported from news bureaus on three continents and was awarded the George Peabody Gardner Fellowship for her work with North Korean refugees.
“With the historic election of the first pope born and raised in the United States, we have entered a pivotal moment in coverage of the Catholic Church,” Mares said. “As the first Vatican Editor for OSV News, I look forward to leading this new chapter as OSV’s person on the ground in Rome as part of the Vatican press corps, traveling with Pope Leo XIV as he preaches the Gospel around the world, and reporting on the key insights from the Holy Father’s teachings, speeches and future encyclicals.
“At a time when many are seeking clarity, credibility and hope in Catholic media, I welcome the chance to serve OSV’s mission and readership in this new role,” she added.
Gretchen R. Crowe, OSV News editor-in-chief, said that she is “thrilled” that Mares is joining the OSV News team.
“For eight years, she has been a trusted reporter and an insightful voice while covering two different pontificates and the Catholic Church across the world,” Crowe said. “With her impressive background and extensive experience, she will amplify OSV News’ excellent coverage of the Vatican and Pope Leo XIV.”
OSV News also announced earlier this month the hiring of Junno Arocho Esteves as international correspondent. Esteves’ brings 14 years of experience focused on the Catholic Church, most notably with Catholic News Service in Rome covering the Vatican. Esteves will be reporting on the global Church from his home base of Malmö, Sweden.
