The pope prayed for prisoners and their families who are unable to visit because of the Italian government's strict social-distancing measures.

"I don't like that word because optimism sounds to me like makeup," something false and superficial, he said. "I have hope in humanity, in men and women, and I have hope in the people."

Dressed in white vestments to commemorate the feast of St. Joseph March 19, the pope expressed his closeness to prisoners "who suffer so much in this moment of uncertainty and pain."

Public gatherings, including Masses, have been banned in Italy through April 3, two days before Palm Sunday.

During this time of coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis is calling for prayers not only for our elected leaders who are dealing with the crisis, but also for religious who are trying to provide spiritual sustenance for their flocks.

Cardinal Peter Turkson says that this period of the coronavirus pandemic is a time for solidarity among peoples.

Three former students at a school for the deaf in Argentina traveled to Rome to demand Pope Francis and Vatican officials release records on priests who abused them and other students.

The three other seminarians -- Pius Kanwai, Peter Umenukor and Stephen Amos -- were released in late January.

During his visit to Poland in 2016, the pope visited the Auschwitz death camp, where he prayed in silence and met with survivors of the Holocaust.

The pope also addressed the political crises in Latin America, including Venezuela, where he said he hoped "efforts to seek solutions will continue."