Pope Francis Sick the Day After Encouraging Coronavirus Victims
By Breitbart. Just 24 hours after he expressed public support for the people suffering from coronavirus around the world, Pope Francis has fallen ill.
“I wish, again, to express my closeness to those who are ill with coronavirus and to healthcare workers who are caring for them,” Pope Francis said on Wednesday. He was visibly ill during the Ash Wednesday Mass, coughing and blowing his nose. And while he shook hands — and even kissed an infant — most parishioners appeared reluctant to physically interact.
On Thursday, the 82-year-old pontiff was forced to cancel a penitential Mass at St. John Lateran basilica that would have marked the beginning of Lent. While he still plans to continue his work, Francis “preferred to stay near [his residence in] Santa Marta,” while he is under the weather. (Read more from “Pope Francis Sick the Day After Encouraging Coronavirus Victims” HERE)
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Coronavirus Updates: Italy Reports 650 Cases and 17 Deaths
By NPR. Italy’s number of COVID-19 coronavirus cases spiked by more than 50% in just 24 hours and now stands at 650, the Italian Ministry of Health says, adding that 17 people have died from the respiratory virus. More than 400 of the cases are in the hard-hit Lombardy region, where some towns are under a lockdown.
Nearly 250 of the people who were infected are currently in the hospital, including 56 patients who are in intensive care, the Italian ministry says, citing a Thursday afternoon update from Angelo Borrelli, commissioner for the coronavirus emergency. Another 284 people who have been infected are in home isolation to try to stop the coronavirus from spreading further.
The outbreak of COVID-19 in Italy led the U.S. State Department to add concerns about the virus to its travel advisory for Italy this week. The advisory stands at Level 2: “exercise increased caution” – one level short of “reconsider travel.”
Alarmed by the virus’s potential impact on its economy, Italy’s government is urging foreign media to reassure people around the world that it’s safe to visit Italy. (Read more from “Coronavirus Updates: Italy Reports 650 Cases and 17 Deaths” HERE)
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