After mass testing uncovered more than 7,300 infections, Italy’s outbreak surged to nearly equal South Korea’s, which had been tapering off, and trailing China, where COVID-19 is in retreat.
Coronavirus
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Delivering Angelus by video, Pope Francis expresses closeness to all affected by coronavirus
The pope appeared to be in good health and appeared for a moment at the window at the end of the Angelus to greet the small gathering in St. Peter’s Square “in real time.”
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis will hold Angelus and public audience via video streaming in response to coronavirus concerns
These changes correspond to Italian government restrictions on large public gatherings to limit transmission of coronavirus.
Posted inFaith, News
Vatican Lenten meditation offered online amid coronavirus concerns
The Friday reflections in Lent, like in Advent, usually are led by the official “preacher of the papal household,” who, for the past 40 years, has been Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Vatican Dispatch
The Vatican reports first case of coronavirus
The normal services of the health and hygiene sector of the Vatican city-state were “temporarily suspended” following yesterday’s positive test for Covid-19 on one patient in order “to sanitize the areas.”
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
What the church in Africa is doing to combat coronavirus
The Lenten season has begun, and more Nigerians are likely to attend religious gatherings. To stall a possible outbreak, however, Archbishop Alfred Martins of the Archdiocese of Lagos said contact should be restricted.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Bethlehem holy sites to be closed after coronavirus reported at hotel
The affected areas were in the West Bank: Bethlehem, Beit Jala, Beit Sahour and Jericho for 14 days following seven reported cases of the coronavirus in the Bethlehem and Beit Jala area.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
As COVID-19 spreads, Catholic entities worldwide take precautions
Catholic Relief Services, which works in more than 110 countries, is “restricting all but the most mission-critical travel, with contingency operational plans in place should the disease take hold in any of the countries where the organization operates.”
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
U.S. dioceses adopt wide-ranging plans to limit spread of coronavirus
Dioceses nationwide are taking precautions to guard against the spread of the coronavirus and reminding parishioners to take commonsense steps related to hygiene in their personal lives.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
After slight cold, Pope Francis reportedly tests negative for coronavirus
Italy has reported more than 1,800 cases of the China-born virus and 66 people have died while nearly 150 have recovered, while the rest allegedly remain in quarantine. Most of the cases were reported in northern Italy, near Milan and Venice.