Dario Salvi

Across the country, empty churches welcomed the start of Holy Week celebrations. Traditional costumes, candles, processions canceled to avoid gatherings. The cardinal recalls the growing number of families living in poverty. In some villages, families let their children wear festive costumes, while respecting isolation.

The aim is to ease tensions in the country's overcrowded and insalubrious prisons. Responding to an appeal by the UN, the government promised the release more than 30,000 prisoners. Once outside, prisoners will have to be quarantined. Indonesia recorded the second largest death toll yesterday after China.

An international NGO warns that 350,000 people are at risk. Overcrowding in camps and a poor health system are making matters worse. Only 80 ventilators are available in the country. Limited data make it difficult to understand the real extent of the epidemic. Fear mixed with resignation prevail in the population. Some fear violence.

Saudi authorities have imposed a total lockdown on the holy cities. Residents will only be able to leave home to buy food and medicines. Non-residents will not be allowed to enter. The minor pilgrimage has been suspended; Hajj is in doubt. Hajj minister calls on the faithful around the world to postpone bookings.

Archbishop Santos notes that forced isolation should be an opportunity to enhance one’s understanding of the Lord. Fasting and abstaining are important acts of self-denial during Lent. The Archdiocese of Cebu makes the International Eucharistic Congress Center available for COVID-19 patients. The outbreak is spreading in the country.

The cargo includes drugs and equipment to be used in the fight against the pandemic. Basij members provide the material. Last month the young people produced up to 200 thousand masks and thousands of liters of disinfectant. Help to be given to the poorest Americans without health coverage.

Fr Romanelli notes that the Strip’s lockdown has favoured “greater control" over crossings. So far, 12 COVID-19 cases have been reported in the Palestinian territory, all people crossing the border from Egypt. Gazans have been used to restrictions for years. Masses are streamed online. Families received pastoral visits and the Eucharist.

The Iraqi priest draws a parallel between the limits imposed by the pandemic and Christ’s exile before Easter. He holds Masses and prayers for Italy. At a time of suffering, faith is an element of support. The outbreak is damaging the economy, shutting down factories. The authorities must provide support. The second part of his testimony follows.

Germany, France and Great Britain have sent a shipment of medicine to Iran. The two fronts to work together for "other transactions and to improve the mechanism". Dozens of US MPs write to the White House to ease sanctions on the Islamic Republic. In Iran 45 thousand Covid-19 cases and 2900 victims.

Iraqi Christians are pained by the tragic images coming from Italy. In Iraqi Kurdistan, the authorities too have ordered a lockdown, closed places of worship and forced people to stay at home. A "third generation" of war, a "biological" one, is underway. Protection is both spiritual and medical.

Oil prices rebound today, with WTI at US$ 21.5 and Brent at US$ 23.5, after dropping below US$ 20 a barrel yesterday. Demand for crude oil decreased by at least a quarter from 100 million barrels average per day. Saudi Arabia wants to export 10.6 million barrels by May. Iraq wants to review payments and contracts. Iran looks to Russia and China to save exports.

Msgr. Warduni says this is not the time to "be pessimistic", even if the celebrations "are not the same", "solidarity" is required. Chaldean patriarchate issues indications for Holy Week "adapted" to these "exceptional circumstances". In these dark times, "greater unity" between Christians and Muslims.