Vatican City, Mar 7, 2020 / 12:30 pm
Pope Francis will lead the Sunday Angelus prayer via video link, the Vatican has announced. The pope will also hold this week's Wednesday general audience in the same way. The decision was taken in response to ongoing concerns about the spread of coronavirus in Italy and Vatican City.
Traditionally, the pope leads the Angelus from the balcony of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter's Square and holds the general audience either in the square or in the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican. Both events will now be held in the library of the Apostolic Palace and live streamed.
The decision to hold the events by video broadcast only was announced in a communique issued by the Vatican press office on March 7.
"With regard to the events of the coming days, the Angelus prayer led by the Holy Father on Sunday 8 March will take place in the Library of the Apostolic Palace and not in the square, from the window," the statement said.