Vatican News

Vatican City has 4 cases of coronavirus

Vatican City, Mar 24, 2020 / 12:25 pm (CNA).- The director of the Holy See's press office, Matteo Bruni, said Tuesday there are now a total of four people connected to Vatican City who have tested positive for the coronavirus.

Included in this number, Bruni said, is the first confirmed case of COVID-19 connected to Vatican City, which was announced March 6. Of the subsequent cases, two are employees of the Vatican Museums and a third is an employee of the merchandise office.

Pope Francis during coronavirus: Beware the 'poison' of laziness, complaining

Vatican City, Mar 24, 2020 / 06:26 am (CNA).- Pope Francis Tuesday warned Christians to avoid living in a “fog” of sadness, sloth, and complaining, instead of rejoicing in the spiritual healing they have received from Christ.

There are “many Christians who live this state of sloth, unable to do anything but complain about everything,” the pope said at Mass in the Vatican’s Santa Marta guesthouse March 24.

Amid coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis' Malta trip postponed

Vatican City, Mar 23, 2020 / 04:33 am (CNA).- The Vatican stated Monday that Pope Francis’ trip to the islands of Malta and Gozo May 31 has been postponed to a yet to be decided future date.

Papal spokesman Matteo Bruni said March 23 “the announced apostolic journey to Malta has been postponed to a date to be defined.”

The decision was made “due to the current world situation and in agreement with the authorities and the local Church.”

Pope Francis to give a special Urbi et Orbi blessing amid coronavirus pandemic

Vatican City, Mar 22, 2020 / 11:30 am (CNA).- Pope Francis announced Sunday that he will give an extraordinary Urbi et Orbi blessing this week with the opportunity for Catholics to receive a plenary indulgence by tuning in via media.

“This Friday, March 27 at 6 p.m., I will preside over a moment of prayer outside of St. Peter's Basilica with the square empty. As now, I invite everyone to participate spiritually through the media,” Pope Francis said March 22 in his livestreamed Angelus address.

Pope Francis: As humanity trembles from pandemic, let us unite in prayer

Vatican City, Mar 22, 2020 / 07:05 am (CNA).- Pope Francis has asked Christians around the world to unite in praying the Our Father prayer at noon on March 25 in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

“In these days of trial, while humanity trembles at the threat of the pandemic, I would like to propose to all Christians to unite their voices to heaven,” Pope Francis said March 22.

Cardinal Zen: 'Parolin manipulates the pope,' and Vatican's China policy is 'immoral'

Vatican City, Mar 21, 2020 / 12:19 am (CNA).- Cardinal Joseph Zen published Saturday a blog post accusing the Vatican’s secretary of state of manipulating Pope Francis, and continuing his ongoing criticism of the Holy See’s approach to the Catholic Church in China.

“My personal impression is that [Cardinal Pietro] Parolin manipulates the Pope, at least in things regarding the Church in China,” Zen, the emeritus bishop of Hong Kong, wrote in a post published on his personal blog.

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