Cindy Wooden

Pope Francis gives world extraordinary blessing amid COVID-19 crisis

March 27, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- The worldwide coronavirus pandemic is not God's judgment on humanity, but God's call on people to judge what is most important to them and resolve to act accordingly from now on, Pope Francis said.

Vatican confirms Pope Francis does not have COVID-19

March 26, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- Neither Pope Francis nor any of his closest collaborators have the COVID-19 virus, said Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office.

Pope Francis, Christian leaders around the globe join in prayer for pandemic's end

March 25, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- Joined by Orthodox, Anglican and Protestant church leaders and faithful from around the world, Pope Francis led the recitation of the Lord's Prayer, imploring God's mercy on humanity amid the coronavirus pandemic.

North American College decides to send all its seminarians home

March 23, 2020

ROME -- With more than half of its seminarians already back in the United States, the Pontifical North American College in Rome is sending its students home.

Pope Francis announces extraordinary 'urbi et orbi' blessing March 27

March 23, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- In response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis said he will give an extraordinary blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the city and the world) at 6 p.m. Rome time March 27.

Vatican says Holy Week liturgies must proceed even if pews are empty

March 20, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- Despite the COVID-19 pandemic that is causing public Mass cancellations worldwide, the liturgies of Holy Week and Easter can not be postponed or suspended, said the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments.

Vatican says general absolution may be permissible during pandemic

March 20, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- In places particularly hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic and with severe limits on people leaving their homes, conditions may exist to grant general absolution without people personally confessing their sins first, the Vatican said.

Amid COVID-19, half of U.S. seminarians in Rome returned home

March 16, 2020

ROME -- About half of the U.S. seminarians and priests living at the Pontifical North American College and the Casa Santa Maria in Rome have left the locked-down city, the rector said.

Pope Francis makes mini-pilgrimage outside Vatican to pray for end of pandemic

March 16, 2020

ROME -- 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.

Vatican says public will not be admitted to papal Holy Week liturgies

March 15, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- 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."