While the Covid-19 pandemic provokes a series of unprecedented measures, other ongoing challenges to human life and dignity—drought, famine, armed conflict and poverty among them—are not offering a time-out from the suffering they inflict.

Africa, Asia, Oceania and parts of Amazonia that “are being tragically impacted by the spread of the coronavirus pandemic” will be supported by the new fund.

The coronavirus pandemic is inspiring works of wonder, writes Nathan Schneider, but will volunteers and activists have the energy to keep going after the worst has passed?

Archbishop Coakley asked legislators that special consideration be offered “those most vulnerable: the poor, the elderly, the homeless, those in prison or detention facilities, immigrants and refugees, and those with severe underlying health conditions.”

The Lenten season has begun, and more Nigerians are likely to attend religious gatherings. To stall a possible outbreak, however, Archbishop Alfred Martins of the Archdiocese of Lagos said contact should be restricted.

Catholic Relief Services, which works in more than 110 countries, is "restricting all but the most mission-critical travel, with contingency operational plans in place should the disease take hold in any of the countries where the organization operates."