China, in a sense, has become the third rail of geopolitics, in the sense that anything it touches automatically becomes controversial, from cell phones (“are they spying?”) to the coronavirus (“are they lying?”)
Vatican
Pope Creates Coronavirus Commission to Respond to Pandemic
Pope Francis created a new commission that will confront the challenges the world is facing in battling the coronavirus pandemic and what it will inevitably face in its aftermath, the Vatican announced.
On an Easter Under Quarantine, Pope Calls Resurrection a ‘Contagion of Hope’
Pope Francis Easter Sunday prayed for those suffering due to either global conflict or the coronavirus, saying Christ’s resurrection brings both light and hope to the darkness of an oppressed and suffering world.
Even in Time of Pandemic, Easter Proclaims the Victory of Life, Pope Says
Pope Francis celebrates the Easter Vigil in a dark and nearly empty St. Peter’s Basilica.
Pandemic is Prime Time for Conversion, Pope Says
The COVID-19 quarantines, lockdowns and stay-at-home orders are the perfect opportunity for conversion: for individuals, for the church and for governments, Pope Francis said in an interview.
Vatican Approves Special ‘Mass in the Time of Pandemic’
The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments has approved a special “Mass in the Time of Pandemic” to plead for God’s mercy and gift of strength in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
Pope: ‘We Implore You … Wake Up, Lord!’
On Friday, March 27, under a persistent light rain coming down from a gray Roman sky, and facing an empty St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis imparted a special Urbi et Orbi, the blessing “to the City [of Rome] and to the World” that is normally only given on Christmas and Easter.
As Coronavirus Spreads, So Does Pope’s ‘Virtual Parish’
As many of the restrictions imposed early on by Italy to fight the COVID-19 coronavirus begin to be adopted elsewhere, the number of Catholics unable to get to Mass, or at least strongly discouraged from leaving the house to do so, is growing.
Vatican Says Public Will Not Be Admitted to Papal Holy Week Liturgies
“The liturgical celebrations of Holy Week will take place without the physical presence of the faithful,” a notice on the Vatican’s website says.
UN Secretary General Guterres to Receive Path to Peace Award
United Nations Secretary General António Guterres will receive the annual top prize from the Path to Peace Foundation – the major charitable organization established to support the work of the Holy See Mission to the U.N.