Coronavirus COVID-19: Pope Francis invites the whole world for a moment of prayer.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, In these days of trial, while humanity trembles because of the pandemic’s menace, I would like to propose to all Christians to unite their voices to Heaven. I invite all the Heads of Churches and the leaders of all the Christian Communities, together with all the Christians of the various Confessions, to invoke the Most High, Almighty God, reciting contemporaneously the prayer that Jesus Our Lord taught us. I invite all, therefore, to do so several times a day, but, all together, to recite the Our Father next Wednesday, March 25, at midday – all together. On the day in which many Christians recall the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary of the Incarnation of the Word, may the Lord be able to hear the unanimous prayer of all His disciples that are preparing to celebrate the victory of the Risen Christ. With this same intention, next Friday, March 27 at 6:00 pm, I will preside over a moment of prayer in the courtyard of St. Peter’s Basilica, with the empty Square. From now on I invite all to take part spiritually through the means of communication. We will listen to the Word of God, we will elevate our prayer, we will adore the Most Blessed Sacrament, with which at the end I will give the Urbi et Orbi Blessing, to which will be annexed the possibility to receive a Plenary Indulgence. We want to respond to the pandemic of the virus with the universality of prayer, of compassion and of tenderness. We remain united. Let us make our closeness felt by persons that are most alone and tried. Our closeness to the doctors, to the health workers, men and women nurses, volunteers . . . Our closeness to the Authorities that must take hard measures, but for our good. Our closeness to the police, to soldiers that seek to maintain order always on the street, so that the things will be done that the government asks be done for the good of us all — closeness to all. I express my closeness to the population of Croatia, affected this morning by an earthquake May the Lord give them the strength and solidarity to face this calamity. And, don’t forget: take the Gospel today and read tranquilly, slowly chapter nine of John. I’ll do it too. It will do us all good. And I wish you a good Sunday. Don’t forget to pray for me. Enjoy your lunch and goodbye. © Libreria Editrice Vatican [Original text: Italian] [ZENIT’s translation by Virginia M. Forrester] https://zenit.org/articles/angelus-ad...