Cardinal Vicar of Rome tests
positive for coronavirus
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| Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, Vicar General of His Holiness for the Diocese of Rome |
Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, the Pope’s Vicar for Rome, says
he is praying “for those who suffer”, after being diagnosed with Covid-19.
By Vatican News
Pope Francis’ Vicar General for the Diocese of Rome, Cardinal
Angelo De Donatis, was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Monday after
testing positive for Covid-19.
The Cardinal is running a fever, but his general condition
is currently good, and he has begun antiviral therapy. Cardinal De Donatis,
following procedures in place to halt the spread of the coronavirus, has had
fewer meetings with his staff at the Lateran Palace recently. As a precaution,
his closest collaborators are in isolation. The Cardinal noted that he has not
been to the Vatican in recent days, and has been in contact with the Pope only
by phone.
Sharing in the suffering of others
“I am also experiencing this trial, I am at peace and
confident”, Cardinal De Donatis said. “I entrust myself to the Lord, and to the
prayers of all you, dear faithful of Rome!”
He added, “I live this moment as an opportunity that
Providence has given me to share in the sufferings of so many brothers and
sisters. I am offering my prayer for them, for the whole diocesan community,
and for the people of the City of Rome”.
Entrusting ourselves to the hands of God
Since 11 March, Cardinal De Donatis has been celebrating a
Mass every evening at the Sanctuary of Divine Love in Rome. The Mass is
broadcast on the Bishops’ Conference television channel, TV2000, and is
live-streamed on the Diocese of Rome’s Facebook page.
During the first Mass from the Sanctuary, on the occasion of
the Pope’s act of entrustment to Mary, the Cardinal said that “the antidote,
the therapy for the suffering of the present moment, is to entrust oneself to
the hands of God. We are in His hands, and no one can tear us away from Him”.
Priests and Bishops on the frontlines
Catholic clergy have been particularly affected by Covid-19.
Dozens of priests already succumbing to the disease in Italy alone. Last week,
Salesian Bishop Angelo Moreschi, the Apostolic Vicar of Ethiopia’s Gambella
Vicariate, became the first Bishop in the world to die of the disease.
Flags at half-mast
Meanwhile, the Holy See, in solidarity with Italy, will be
flying flags at half-mast on Tuesday, as a sign of mourning. The gesture is an
expression of the Church's closeness to the victims of Covid-19 in Italy
and around the world, as well as to their families and to those who are
generously fighting to end the pandemic.
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