Coronavirus

Central America's bishops have urged their governments and people to join together to provide health care and protect lives as the COVID-19 pandemic heaps misery and economic consequences on one of the poorer parts of the hemisphere.

Tucson Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger announced July 1 that state health officials have "strongly recommended" the suspension of public worship and that he agrees the recommendation is a wise course of action.

A report by the Washington-based Refugees International organization charges U.S. immigration policy with helping the spread of the coronavirus in Guatemala, as federal agencies in the U.S. and Mexico have repatriated infected Guatemalans through deportations.

It was not the senior year anyone expected, but the Class of 2020 seemed to meet the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic with grace, courage and humor.

VATICAN CITY -- During the darkest, most deadly days of the COVID-19 pandemic in northern Italy, medical professionals and volunteers were "silent artisans of a culture of closeness and tenderness," a culture that cannot be allowed to disappear, Pope Francis said.

VATICAN CITY -- As travel restrictions continue in the hope of slowing the spread of the coronavirus, Pope Francis offered his prayers and solidarity to those who work at sea and have either been prevented from going ashore or have not been able to work.

ROME -- A bishop in northern Italy who had been intubated for 17 days and almost died of COVID-19 celebrated an outdoor evening Mass June 14 with doctors, nurses, hospital staff and Caritas volunteers who have been helping others during the pandemic.

DHAKA, Bangladesh -- Archbishop Moses Costa of Chittagong has tested positive for COVID-19 and is in critical condition in a private hospital in Dhaka, reported ucanews.com.

VATICAN CITY -- Spanish Cardinal Antonio Canizares Llovera of Valencia made headlines when he described as a "work of the devil" attempts to find a COVID-19 vaccine using cell lines created from fetuses aborted voluntarily decades ago.

VATICAN CITY -- As the number of coronavirus cases in Brazil continued to grow and as the country's daily death toll surpassed that of the United States, Pope Francis telephoned Archbishop Orlando Brandes of Aparecida, asking him to assure Brazilians of his prayers.