Pope calls coronavirus health workers, priests ‘saints next door’
Pope Francis attends a Mass for Holy Thursday, inside St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on Thursday. Francis celebrated the Holy Week, which was largely empty of faithful because of restrictions aimed at containing the spread of COVID-19, by first honoring priests and medical staff tending to coronavirus patients. (Alessandro Di Meo/Pool Photo via AP) Francis also raised concerns over priests who have been insulted because of the Catholic Church’s child sex-abuse scandals.
“Today I carry you in my heart and I carry you to the altar,” he said.
“Ugly things are said to [many priests], in reference to the drama we have experienced with the discovery of priests who did ugly things,″ the pope added. “Some tell me they cannot leave their home wearing the clerical collar because they’re insulted.”
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Ceremonies in Vatican City have been severely disrupted by the coronavirus crisis as the large crowds of tourists and Roman Catholics who normally crowd St. Peter’s Square have been absent following the prohibition of large gatherings.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Read more: https://www.foxnews.com/faith-values/pope-coronavirus-health-workers-priests-saints-next-door