Pope: "Praying for Wuhan Pneumonia Patients... Please Make Efforts to Prevent Its Spread"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] On the 26th (local time), Pope Francis mentioned the novel coronavirus 'Wuhan Pneumonia,' which originated in China, expressing condolences for the deceased and wishing for the speedy recovery of those infected.

On that day, the Pope said at the Sunday Angelus prayer held at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican, "I want to be with those infected by the virus spreading in China and pray for them."

He went on to say that he hopes those who lost their lives to the virus rest in the Lord's embrace and that peace may be with their bereaved families. He also urged the Chinese government to continue its efforts to prevent the spread of the virus.

Marking the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, the site of the Holocaust, on the 27th, the Pope emphasized the importance of remembering the horrors of that time and warned against neglecting vigilance to prevent the tragedy from happening again.

The Pope said, "Indifference in the face of this immense tragedy and cruelty cannot be tolerated. Remembering it is our duty," adding, "Let us take a moment tomorrow to pray and reflect. And in our hearts, let us pledge, 'Never again shall such a tragedy be repeated.'"

During World War II, over one million Jews were massacred at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp alone. Overall, more than six million Jews lost their lives in the Holocaust during that period.

Since his enthronement in 2013, the Pope has repeatedly criticized the resurgence of anti-Semitism, particularly in Europe, emphasizing that remembering the past is essential to welcoming a better future.