COVID-19 Crisis Humanity Crisis Joint Appeal
[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Pope Francis prayed alone in St. Peter's Square, asking for a saving hand to be extended to humanity grieving over the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).
On the evening of the 27th (local time), during a special prayer held at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican, the Pope pleaded to God, using the crisis caused by COVID-19 as a metaphor, "Do not leave us abandoned in the whirlwind of the storm."
The Pope lamented, "A deep darkness has covered our squares, streets, and cities, and a deafening silence and painful emptiness have seized our lives. We have become lost in fear."
He also appealed for solidarity, saying, "We have realized that we cannot advance even an inch alone, that we must be together. Alone, we will be shipwrecked. Let us all become one."
Considering the rapidly spreading infection situation in Italy, the special prayer was conducted with Pope Francis alone ascending the special altar in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican.
The special prayer unusually concluded with the 'Urbi et Orbi' blessing for a plenary indulgence. A plenary indulgence grants full remission of the temporal punishment due to sins, intended to comfort and encourage humanity fighting the virus. The Urbi et Orbi blessing has traditionally been given only on Christmas, Easter, and when a new pope is inaugurated.
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