“I hope the supplies could reach where they are needed as soon as possible, so that people who are suffering the disease could feel the concern from the Holy See,” Father Han told the Global Times. “The whole world is standing together to fight the virus.”

"We must change our pastoral routines to respond to the presence of so many older people in our families and communities," the pope told Catholic seniors and pastoral workers from around the world.

Archbishop Silvano Tomasi explained that the effort involves "a small group of Russian and American experts."

This week on “Inside the Vatican,” we look at how Francis has changed the role of papal secretary and discuss Father Gonzalo Aemilius, the pope’s new personal secretary, who is known for his work with street children and drug addicts in his native Uruguay.

Francis has known him since 2006, when as archbishop of Buenos Aires he heard about his work with street children and drug addicts and contacted him.

Francis has shown a great interest in Iraq and its people that have suffered so much since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003.