World News
Pope, Christian leaders around world join in prayer for pandemic’s end
Joined by Orthodox, Anglican and Protestant church leaders and faithful from around the world, Pope Francis led the recitation of the Lord's Prayer, imploring God's mercy on humanity amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Italian doctors overwhelmed by pandemic, call for change in care
The Western health care system of centralized hospital care cannot handle this pandemic and must shift toward community-focused care, said doctors, who advise "lockdown is paramount" for substantially reducing transmission.
Catholic agencies: Move refugees from Greece to avoid pandemic disaster
With hand-washing and social distancing virtually impossible for 42,000 refugees of the Syrian war in camps, "there is no hope of containing any outbreak" of coronavirus there, aid agencies say.
Vatican asks bishops to help faithful celebrate Holy Week, Easter at home
The Latin rite and Eastern Catholic Churches have been asked to support personal and family prayer during Holy Week and at Easter, especially where COVID-19 restrictions prevent people from going to church.
Pope invites all to join him in prayer at same time March 25
Pope Francis called on Christians around the world to pray the Lord's Prayer at noon Rome time, 7 a.m. Eastern time, for an end to the coronavirus pandemic.
‘Every man for himself’ no solution to pandemic, pope says
Pope Francis urged business leaders to seek solutions that will not hurt employees and their families during the coronavirus pandemic. Instead of laying off employees, businesses must build "a society of solidarity."
Pope prays for people in financial difficulty because of pandemic
Heartfelt prayer and perseverance are needed now as nearly 25 million jobs may be lost worldwide due to COVID-19. Economic hardship from joblessness "falls on the family," Pope Francis said March 23.
Pope to give extraordinary global blessing March 27
At a time "when humanity trembles" during the coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis will give an extraordinary blessing "urbi et orbi" at 6 p.m. Rome time (1 p.m. Eastern) March 27.
Vatican issues decree for Holy Week liturgies with pandemic restrictions
The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments offered guidelines for private Masses, to be televised, in its "Decree in the Time of COVID-19" for this year only.
If you can’t go to confession, take your sorrow to God, pope says
Pope Francis invited people who cannot find a priest to speak directly with the Father, tell him the truth, make an act of contrition and "draw near to God's forgiveness. Think about it. This is the moment."