Vatican News

Pope Francis prays for those who weep from coronavirus loneliness or loss

Vatican City, Mar 29, 2020 / 07:30 am (CNA).- In his Sunday homily, Pope Francis said it is a grace to weep with those who weep as many people suffer from the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Many cry today. And we, from this altar, from this sacrifice of Jesus -- of Jesus who was not ashamed to cry -- ask for the grace to cry. May today be for everyone like a Sunday of tears,” Pope Francis said in his homily on March 29.

Vatican does coronavirus testing, says Pope Francis does not have virus

Vatican City, Mar 28, 2020 / 11:05 am (CNA).- The Vatican said Saturday Pope Francis does not have the coronavirus, and that recent testing of 170 Holy See employees for COVID-19 resulted in only one new case.

This brings the total number of coronavirus cases connected to Vatican City to six, papal spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement March 28.

“I can confirm that neither the Holy Father nor his closest collaborators are involved,” the spokesman stated.

Pope Francis prays for everyone going hungry because of coronavirus

Vatican City, Mar 28, 2020 / 04:29 am (CNA).- Pope Francis prayed Saturday for everyone who is going hungry, or who will go hungry, because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“In recent days, in some parts of the world, there have been consequences – some consequences – of the pandemic; one of them is hunger,” he said March 28 before the start of Mass.

Pope Francis will offer Easter liturgies in St. Peter's Basilica and with no public

Vatican City, Mar 27, 2020 / 06:40 am (CNA).- Pope Francis will follow a slightly modified schedule this year for the liturgies of Holy Week and Easter, which will all take place inside St. Peter’s Basilica and without the presence of the public, the Vatican announced Friday.

The Vatican published the pope’s revised schedule March 27, after the coronavirus pandemic forced a change to the papal Masses and services, usually attended by thousands of people.

Pope Francis donates 30 ventilators to hospitals in need

Vatican City, Mar 26, 2020 / 04:03 pm (CNA).- Pope Francis has entrusted the Office of Papal Charities with 30 ventilators to be distributed to 30 hospitals in need during the coronavirus pandemic, the Vatican announced Thursday.

Because coronavirus is a respiratory illness, ventilators have become one of the top necessities in hospitals around the world, including in Italy’s overwhelmed hospital system.

Analysis: The sacramental shutdown, coronavirus, and canon law

Washington D.C., Mar 26, 2020 / 02:01 pm (CNA).- The coronavirus pandemic has caused disruption around the world. To politics, economics, and to the life of the Church: most especially to the steady regularity of her sacramental life, which many Catholics see as the anchor of consistency amid a world of chaos.

“Stat crux dum volvitur orbis,” the Carthusians say— The cross is steady while the world turns.

Vatican official living in Santa Marta tests positive for coronavirus

Vatican City, Mar 26, 2020 / 09:31 am (CNA).- A Vatican official who is a resident of the guesthouse where Pope Francis lives has tested positive for coronavirus, according to reports.

The Catholic Herald wrote March 26 that Fr. Gianluca Pezzoli, an official in the Vatican’s Secretariat of State, is sick with COVID-19, his diocese confirmed.

According to a report by the Italian newspaper Il Messaggero Wednesday, the 58-year-old priest has been hospitalized.

Pages