IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy Mt. Carmel Rehabilitation & Nursing Center By Carol Zimmermann WASHINGTON (CNS) — The impact of the coronavirus in the United States is likely felt the strongest in nursing homes around the country, and Catholic facilities are no exception. As of March 13, all nursing homes and long-term …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Vatican Media By Cindy Wooden ROME (CNS) — Public Masses are banned throughout Italy, but literally thousands of Masses are celebrated each day and, in addition to watching them on television or computer screens, the faithful can receive "spiritual Communion." Pope Francis, after reciting a livestreamed Angelus prayer …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Vatican Media via Reuters By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Standing in the window of the library of the Apostolic Palace overlooking an empty St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis blessed the city of Rome still under lockdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. During a …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Vatican Media By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis prayed for families who are cooped up in their homes and for all those who are ill with COVID-19. During a live broadcast of his daily morning Mass March 16, Pope Francis again prayed for the many …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Vatican Media By Cindy Wooden ROME (CNS) — With Italy on lockdown and Rome streets almost deserted, Pope Francis left the Vatican March 15 in a mini-pilgrimage to an icon and to a crucifix associated with miraculous interventions to save the city and its people. The icon is …

By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican office that distributes free tickets to papal events has posted a notice on its website that "the liturgical celebrations of Holy Week will take place without the physical presence of the faithful." While public gatherings, including Masses, have been banned in …

By Hannah Brockhaus Vatican City, Mar 14, 2020 / 04:56 pm (CNA).- Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis’ liturgies for Holy Week and Easter, which usually include the presence of thousands of people, will be held without public attendance this year. According to an online notice from the Prefecture …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Eloisa Lopez, Reuters By WASHINGTON (CNS) — In an effort to stem the pandemic of COVID-19, bishops’ conferences and dioceses around the world began suspending public Masses. The measures were designed to "flatten the curve," an effort to ease the burden on the health care system so treatment …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Victor Aleman, Angelus News By WASHINGTON (CNS) — Acknowledging the fragility of human life because of the coronavirus, Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, shared a prayer for people who are ill with COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Junno Arocho Esteves By Cindy Wooden ROME (CNS) — Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, papal vicar of Rome, said he spoke to Pope Francis March 12 before ordering the closure of all churches in Rome because of the coronavirus pandemic; the next day, he said he spoke to the …