On Easter Sunday, there will be music for hope as one of the world’s most talented artists, Andrea Bocelli, performs from inside the Duomo, Milan’s most famous cathedral.
Italy
Pope Francis to Donate 30 Ventilators to Hospitals Fighting Coronavirus
Pope Francis will distribute 30 ventilators to Italian hospitals in need of medical equipment during the coronavirus pandemic.
Passing the Time in Lockdown: Sisters Sew Face Masks
While most of the work at a religious order’s general headquarters continues in lockdown, a group of Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit found an additional activity where they could use their hands, do something together and be useful.
Pope Joins Nationwide Rosary as Italy Takes Lead for Coronavirus Deaths
On the same day Italy surpassed China in the number of fatalities related to the COVID-19 coronavirus, Pope Francis joined the Italian bishops in calling for a nationwide rosary to pray for an end to the outbreak set for 9:00 p.m. Rome time, 4:00 p.m. on the East Coast of the U.S., offering special prayers for families and the elderly.
In John XXIII’s Hometown, Six Priests Have Died From the Coronavirus
At the heart of the European coronavirus crisis in northern Italy’s city of Bergamo, six Catholic priests have died during the past week from the disease and, as of Sunday, over 20 priests were hospitalized.
After Italian Prison Riots Due to Coronavirus Clampdown, Pope Prays for Prisoners
As the number climbs of inmates who’ve died in Italian prisons amid riots related to the country’s coronavirus restrictions, and as the Vatican tightens its own controls, Pope Francis March 11 offered a prayer for prisoners suffering as the disease spreads.
Italian Bishops Urge Compliance With State Measures Amid Virus Outbreak
As Italian regional officials canceled school and major public events over the weekend following a spike in the number of coronavirus cases, Church officials have urged citizens to adhere to restrictions set in place, saying they are close to the families impacted.
Euthanasia is Not an Expression of Personal Freedom, Pope Says
Medical advancements do not help if they treat people as objects or when they are applied only to those people who are not considered a burden and “deserve” to be helped, Pope Francis said.
St. John Paul II’s Challenge Is Still Valid: “Learn Rome!”
Back in the day, when St. John Paul II would meet with seminarians in the Eternal City each year, he would challenge them to “imparare Roma.” It’s a phrase that technically violates the rules of Italian grammar, but everyone knew what he meant: “Learn Rome!”
Vatican: Bones Found at Cemetery Do Not Belong to Missing Woman
The Holy See Press Office said that the results of a morphological analysis of bones and bone fragments found at an ossuary in a Vatican cemetery concluded that none belonged to Emanuela Orlandi, a young Italian woman who has been missing for more than 30 years.