The prayer and the general audience will be livestreamed by Vatican News on screens in St Peter's Square. The presence of the faithful during the morning Mass at Casa Santa Marta is also suspended.
Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Pope Francis will not appear tomorrow at the window overlooking St Peter's Square to prevent people from assembling below.
In a statement, the Holy See Press Office noted that the Marian prayer will be livestreamed. The same will happen for Wednesday’s general audience.
"Regarding the events of the next few days, the Angelus prayer by the Holy Father on Sunday, 8 March, will take place in the Library of the Apostolic Palace and not from the window overlooking the square.
“The prayer will be livestreamed by Vatican News on screens in St Peter's Square and distributed by Vatican Media to the media who request it, so as to allow the participation of the faithful.”
"The General Audience on Wednesday, 11 March, will follow the same procedures.”
This decision was “deemed necessary to avoid the risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus in public gatherings during the security checks required to access the square, as requested by Italian authorities,” the statement read.
"In compliance with the decisions by the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State, the participation of the faithful at the Masses in Santa Marta will be suspended until Sunday, 15 March. The Holy Father will celebrate the Eucharist privately.”