At the Wednesday General Audience – which was livestreamed from the Apostolic Library – Pope Francis turned his thoughts towards all those, in Italy and around the world, who are struggling against the coronavirus epidemic.
As of Tuesday, more than 120,000 cases of the coronavirus had been identified worldwide, and more than 4,300 people have died from the disease. Almost 67,000 people affected have recovered, and internationally, doctors and scientists are working to find a vaccine. Several of the most severely hit countries, including Italy, have seen their healthcare systems sorely tried by the outbreak, and are adopting stringent measures to halt the spread of the disease.
But though the world’s attention is focused on the coronavirus epidemic, Pope Francis also recalled the plight of “the poor Syrians who are suffering on the border between Greece and Turkey, a people who have suffered for many years”. He noted that they have been forced to flee from their homes on account of war, hunger, and disease. “Let us not forget our brothers and sisters, including so many children, who are suffering there”. Vatican News
