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Pope to deliver Sunday prayer by livestream due to virus
VATICAN CITY, March 7, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – The Vatican said Pope Francis will
deliver Sunday’s Angelus Prayer by livestream instead of in person from his
window overlooking Saint Peter’s Square out of concern over the new
coronavirus.
“The prayer will be broadcast via livestream by Vatican News and on
screens in Saint Peter’s Square,” the Vatican said in a statement.
The Vatican had promised to review the 83-year-old pontiff’s schedule “to
avoid the dissemination” of the new COVID-19 disease.
The Argentine-born pope has been out of action for more than a week with a
cold.
He suffered two coughing fits during last Sunday’s prayer service and
announced that he was pulling out of an annual spiritual retreat south of
Rome to stay at home and get well.
The Vatican said the livestream will be recorded at the library of the
Apostolic Palace overlooking the square.
The pope is currently spending most of his time at his Saint Martha’s
guest house in a separate part of the Vatican.
BSS/AFP/FI/1908 hrs