Pope expresses closeness to those affected by coronavirus

By Linda Bordoni

Pope Francis reiterated his vicinity to those who are infected by Covid-19, to doctors, nurses,  hospital staff and authorities dealing with the crisis.

Speaking on Wednesday during the General Audience in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope said, “I wish, again, to express my closeness to those who are ill with coronavirus and to health-care workers who are caring for them.”

He also turned his thoughts to civil authorities and to all those who are involved in assisting patients and in containing the spread of the virus.

The latest figures show that Covid-19 is spreading in Europe, the Middle East and other parts of the world, while parts of China begin to lower their emergency response level as the number of new cases reported there continues to slow.

More deaths have been reported in Italy, while South Korea on Wednesday said an 11th person had died of the disease there.

Globally, at least 80,000 people have been diagnosed with the illness.