Pope delivers Palm Sunday sermon to empty St. Peter’s Basilica
Pope Francis called on listeners in his Palm Sunday sermon — on the first day of Holy Week — to "reach out to those who are suffering and those most in need" during the coronavirus pandemic, Reuters reports.
Why it matters: Francis delivered his message inside an empty St. Peter’s Basilica, broadcasting it over the internet to churches around the world.
The Vatican has mirrored Italy's lockdown, where more than 15,500 people have died from the virus, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
What he's saying: “The tragedy we are experiencing summons us to take seriously the things that are serious, and not to be caught up in those that matter less; to rediscover that life is of no use if not used to serve others. For life is measured by love,” Francis said, according to Reuters.
He urged his listeners to turn to God “in the tragedy of a pandemic, in the face of the many false securities that have now crumbled, in the face of so many hopes betrayed, in the sense of abandonment that weighs upon our hearts." “May we not be concerned about what we lack, but what good we can do for others,” he said.
The big picture: The pope’s Holy Week services normally draw tens of thousands of pilgrims and tourists to Rome.
This year's Holy Week will take place in the empty basilica. Religious gatherings are expected to be cancelled or host smaller crowds around the world as countries encourage social distancing, though some places — including at least 11 U.S. states — are offering exemptions.
Source: axios.com
Trending News
NPP poised to win back Adenta seat this time - Kwasi Obeng-Fosu
14:40Lift veil on assets declared by public officials – Osafo-Maafo
14:33I'll address challenges with Free SHS in 100 days as president - Mahama
10:31GRASAG optimistic about Mahama's 24-Hour economy
10:16Murder of US national: Police arrest 2 at Assin Prasso
10:31Economist Bernard Oduro Takyi leads campaign to bolster NDC's electoral prospects in Bono East Region
15:06Come clean on cedi-dollar exchange rate - Economist to Finance Minister
13:38‘Maturity, patriotism, love for humanity’ are all we need for peaceful 2024 polls – IGP
14:08Public schools rebranding: Adutwum introduces new uniforms for basic school students
06:52NDC petitions Speaker on missing BVDs at EC
13:21