COVID-19: Italy Reopens Churches, Eases Lockdown

The government of Italy has reopened churches across the country as the coronavirus restriction is relaxed.

After Pope Francis inaugurated the full reopening of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican on Monday, May 18, Catholic churches across Italy held public Masses for the first time in two months.

The cleric held a private Mass in a side chapel where St. John Paul II is buried to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the late Polish pope’s birth, Reuters reports.

Oasis Magazine gathers that churches in Italy are holding Masses under strict new guidelines worked out between the country’s bishops and the government.

On Sunday, May 17, the pope urged Italians to follow the guidelines in order to protect their health and that of other people.

Pietro Muratori said: “Coming here was a unique opportunity. It was surreal and with the number of visitors at a minimum, the basilica was more wonderful than ever.”

Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that Pope Francis on Monday, April 6, spoke about the situation of the poor.

In his tweet, the pontiff said that God would judge the world on how we relate with the poor. He explained a popular verse in the bible which said: “The poor you will always have with you”, saying God meant he will always be present “in the poor.”

He singled out that particular place in the Bible as the focus of the gospel, adding that it carries much power that it would form the centre of God’s judgment.

In another tweet, the pope said that overcrowded prisons would face great danger during the present coronavirus outbreak.

He, therefore, called for prayer for those in charge to come up with a befitting action to resolve the situation.