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BFF-19
HEALTH-VIRUS-VATICAN-EASTER
Vatican to hold Easter celebrations without congregation due to virus
ROME, March 15, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – The Vatican said Sunday that its
traditional Easter week celebrations would be held this year without
worshippers due to the coronavirus.
“Because of the current global public health emergency, all the liturgical
celebrations of Holy Week will take place without the physical presence of
the faithful,” the Prefecture of the Pontifical Household said in a
statement.
The office is in charge of coordinating most of Pope Francis’s public
schedule and his audiences with heads of state and other dignitaries.
The Vatican also said: “Until April 12, the general audiences and the
Angelus presided over by the Holy Father will be available only in live
streaming on the official Vatican News website.”
According to the latest tally late Saturday, there have been 1,441 deaths
in Italy due to COVID-19, and more than 21,000 Italians have tested positive.
Italy is the hardest-hit European country so far in the pandemic.
BSS/AFP/MSY/1309 hrs