February at the Vatican started off normally enough, with the pope's usual General Audiences, daily Mass celebrations and meetings with diplomats.
His guests included people like the prince of Bahrain...
The prime minister of Croatia...
The prime minister of Iraqi Kurdistan...
and the former president of Brazil, Lula da Silva.
In mid-February, this cardinal in Hong Kong canceled public Mass celebrations following the coronavirus outbreak.
CARD. JOHN TONG HON
Apostolic Administrator of Hong Kong
“At this difficult time, everyone should not panic. We must deepen our trust in God and implement our Christian love for our neighbors and all people.”
Since the situation in Italy and the Vatican remained normal for a while longer, the pope continued with his usual schedule. His final trip before the lockdown was to Bari, in southern Italy, to pray for peace alongside Mediterranean bishops.
POPE FRANCIS
“In loving everyone, we don't accept excuses. We don't preach comfortable prudence. The Lord wasn't prudent. He didn't compromise. He asked us for the 'extremism of charity.' It is the only extremism allowed for a Christian, the 'extremism of love.'”
As per tradition, on Ash Wednesday, the pope completed the procession from the Basilica of St. Anselm to the Basilica of St. Sabina, where he celebrated Mass, despite feeling a little under the weather. In his homily, he said human beings are dust, but infinitely valuable in God's eyes.
POPE FRANCIS
“Lent is not a time for useless sermons, but for recognizing that our lowly ashes are loved by God. It is a time of grace, a time for letting God gaze upon us with love and in this way change our lives.”
As the coronavirus outbreak grew, the pope often demonstrated his nearness to the sick.
POPE FRANCIS
“I want to express, once more, my closeness to the sick infected by the coronavirus, as well as to medical workers caring for them, civil authorities and everyone working to treat the sick and contain the spread.”
The pope also met with the Global Catholic Climate Movement, encouraging them to keep up their efforts to promote caring for the planet.
Be greener!
The Vatican also launched a task force to address sexual abuse within the Church. The initiative was designed to help guide bishops handle cases and avoid new ones.
All in all, it was a packed, in some ways, final, month of normality at the Vatican, before the coronavirus pandemic took over even the pope's agenda. In fact, toward the end of the month, he had to cancel some events because of a cold, particularly concerning given the developing situation.
CT
