Italy Overtakes China in Coronavirus Deaths: 3,405 vs. 3,130
Deaths from COVID-19 in Italy surpassed the reported death toll in China Thursday, hitting a figure of 3,405 as compared with China’s 3,130.

Deaths from COVID-19 in Italy surpassed the reported death toll in China Thursday, hitting a figure of 3,405 as compared with China’s 3,130.

Arsonists set fire to the church of Saint-Apollinaire in eastern France this week, after which the parish priest declared, “This was the last thing we needed, given recent events.”

Pope Francis has urged people not to “waste” the opportunities for growth presented by this period of trial, recommending families to rediscover the affection that binds them together.

Italian health officials announced Tuesday evening that a modest drop in new cases of the coronavirus is cause for cautious hope that the countrywide lockdown may be having an effect.

Hungary’s chief medical officer Cecília Müller announced Tuesday that researchers at the national security lab of the National Centre for Public Health (NNK) have successfully isolated the Wuhan coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

Italy’s Interior Ministry issued a warning Tuesday, promising higher fines and harsher penalties for those found outside their homes with insufficient reason.

The Vatican is dragging its feet in the beatification of Chinese Catholic hero Cardinal Ignatius Kung Pin-mei due to “diplomatic sensitivity,” according to a report from UCANews.

Catholic League president Bill Donohue has appealed to the House Ethics Committee to reprimand Rep. Rashida Tlaib for her “obscene assault on people of faith.”

Pope Francis made a pilgrimage to two of Rome’s historic shrines Sunday afternoon to pray for an end to the coronavirus pandemic.

The coronavirus continues to spread rapidly in Italy despite a near-total lockdown on residents’ movements and interaction.

Celebrated evangelical pastor Franklin Graham publicly thanked President Trump Sunday for designating the day as a National Day of Prayer.

The local police of Cerveteri, outside Rome, interrupted a Mass Sunday that was being live-streamed on Facebook because there were several people kneeling outdoors in front of the Church.

Pope Francis has written a powerful letter urging priests in Rome to step up the spiritual care of souls during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Amazon rainforest is “approaching a point of no return under the effect of climate change and could turn into an arid savannah within half a century,” Agence France Press (AFP) reported this week.

The online pornography giant Pornhub has offered Italians free access to its premium service during the coronavirus crisis, just as the Catholic Church has cancelled all Masses and limited access to confession and other sacraments.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has dismissed the case of two Christian midwives who were denied jobs in Sweden for refusing to perform abortions, ruling that the violation of the women’s consciences as “proportionate.”

The coronavirus has succeeded in converting Rome from a bustling metropolis into a virtual ghost town in a matter of days.

The Diocese of Rome has issued a new decree partially reversing Thursday’s decision to close all Catholic churches in the city, now ordering that parish and mission churches be reopened.

Pope Francis has questioned the Church’s adoption of “drastic measures” in dealing with the coronavirus after the closing of the nation’s churches and the suspension of the sacraments.

The number of deaths in Italy by the COVID-19 coronavirus passed the 1,000-mark Thursday, jumping by 189 to a total of 1,016 despite drastic measures to contain the virus.

The Orthodox Church of Cyprus has rejected a government ordinance banning gatherings of over 75 people, saying it would continue to hold its divine liturgy as usual for all who desire to participate.

The chief of the Vatican’s department of “Integral Human Development” said Wednesday that the coronavirus epidemic has served to showcase the serious socio-economic inequalities in the modern world.

The devil always goes to extremes in his attacks on Christians, Pope Francis said Wednesday, either through the soft-sell of worldly glory and comfort or the violence of enraged persecution.

ROME — The number of people in Italy cured of COVID-19 passed the 1,000-mark on Tuesday evening as the country ended its first day of lockdown.

Pope Francis said Tuesday that priests should have the courage to go out among the victims of coronavirus to attend to their physical and spiritual needs.

British Airways and Dublin-based Ryanair announced Tuesday they have cancelled all flights to and from Italy after the country declared a nationwide lockdown Monday in an attempt to control the spread of the coronavirus.

Pope Francis offered prayers Sunday for all those affected by the coronavirus outbreak, urging Christians to find strength in their faith during this difficult period.

The Holy See Press Office announced Sunday that the Vatican Museums would be closed at least until April 3 as a “precautionary measure” against the spread of the coronavirus.

Pharmaceutical companies expect to soon begin paying “human guinea pigs” £3,500 (upwards of $4,500) to be infected with the coronavirus in a race to discover a vaccine for the disease, The Times reports.

The Vatican has confirmed Friday that a patient in its health services has tested positive for COVID-19, making it the Vatican’s first case of coronavirus.
