Vatican: At 12 noon on Sunday, the Holy Father Francis led the recitation of the Angelus prayer from the Library of the Vatican Apostolic Palace. After introducing the Marian prayer, Pope Francis said, “The Piazza San Pietro is closed, so my greeting goes directly to through the media. In this pandemic situation, in which we find ourselves living more or less isolated, we are invited to rediscover and deepen the value of the communion that unites all members of the Church.”
“United with Christ we are never alone, but we form a single Body, of which He is the Head. It is a union that is nourished with prayer, and also with spiritual communion in the Eucharist, a highly recommended practice when it is not possible to receive the sacrament. I say this for everyone, especially for people who live alone,” the Holy Father said.
“I renew my closeness to all the sick and those who care for them. As well as to the many operators and volunteers who help people who cannot leave the house, and to those who meet the needs of the poorest and homeless,” the Pope added thanking those who are helping the authorities during this hard time.
In coordination with the measures launched by the Italian authorities to avoid the spread of the coronavirus, the Piazza and the Basilica of San Pietro have been closed to guided visits and tourists. Annona’s pharmacy and supermarket, however, remain open, but with quota entrances.
The dicasteries and entities of the Holy See and of the Vatican City State too remain open to ensure essential services to the Universal Church, in coordination with the Secretariat of State, while applying all health standards and mechanisms. work flexibility established and branched in recent days.
These measures will remain in force, unless otherwise indicated, until April 3, 2020.
Praying the Rosary, reciting prayerfully the litany of Saints, Reading the Breviary – these are time tested practices, that need to be revived and be made part of our regular toolkit for life’s combat.