Pope Francis Makes Pilgrimage in Rome and Pray for Corona Virus Ends

Pope Francis made a short pilgrimage in Rome on Sunday 16 March. He prayed to end the Corona Virus pandemic during his sudden visit to St. Basilica. Mary Major and a cross that crossed Rome during the plague of the 16th century.

According to the Vatican, the Pope went to the Basilica to visit the Salus Populi Romani icon, Mary Protection of the Roman People, to plead his prayer for the Corona Virus pandemic which now affects not only Italy, but also the whole world.

Launching the Catholic News Agency on Monday (3/16/2020), a priest of the Roman Catholic Vicariate, Brother Elio Lops, said that Pope Francis was accompanied by the Archbishop of Basilica, Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko during his visit there.

Lops, who was present, said that the pope prayed quietly in front of the icon for about 20 minutes and also stopped briefly at a cross chapel.

From the Basilica, the pope walked about almost a kilometer on foot to the Church of San Marcello al Corso to pray before the holy cross, which was once carried in procession through the streets of Rome during the plague of 1522.

According to the chancellor of the church, Fr. Enrico Casini, the Pope also stopped to pray in front of the statue of St. Joseph.

Pope Francis "pleaded for healing for many sick people, remembering the many victims today, and asked their families and friends to find consolation," according to a statement from the Vatican.

The pope also prays for medical workers, doctors, nurses and those who work for the community, while many are now under forced or voluntary quarantine.

Formerly, the Byzantine icon Salus Populi Romani was also brought through Rome by Pope Gregory I in 593 to end the plague known as Black Death.

The icon has then been respected by the Romans for centuries and is considered a symbol of the city and its people.

According to Lops, Pope Francis wanted to make a visit to provide support for Italians during quarantine conditions throughout the country.

"It was all shocking," Lops said, adding that Francis wanted to go to St. Basilica. Mary Major on March 13, to celebrate the seventh anniversary of her papacy, but due to conditions that did not allow her, she told Cardinal Rylko that she would come another indefinite time.

Lops asserted that the Pope's aksu this time did not have the intention to go against Italian government rules, but rather as a sign of support and encouragement for local residents. Lops also added that this trip was actually risky for him, given his age that has entered the elderly.

"Although public Masses have been suspended throughout the diocese, the Pontifical Basilica of St. Mary's Major remains open to prayer, confession and fellowship for Catholics who may request it," Brother Lops added.

He said the Vicariate (the authority of the Catholic Church) did not encourage people to violate the government's decision to stay at home, but if people pass by when they leave for reasons that are allowed, such as going to a pharmacy, they can stop by to do private prayer or receive the sacrament.

source: https: //www.liputan6.com/