The fund will operate "thanks to the active collaboration of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) and the Pontifical Mission for Palestine," the statement said.

Catholic clergy in Africa are concerned that there could be a rise in violence and insurgency during the pandemic, leading to more political and civil disruption.

A Catholic school uniform company in Oregon, in an effort to assist medical personnel dealing with the pandemic, are making and providing face masks for their work.

Around Europe, asylum seekers typically live in crowded shelters or detention centers, makeshift refugee camps or on the streets.

"Such a tragic event, involving the meaningless death of so many of our fellow citizens, has shocked us all," he said, "adding more collective suffering to an already tragic time in our province, our country and our personal lives.

On the recommendation of the Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life, Pope Francis is postponing the upcoming World Meeting of Families as well as World Youth Day by a year because of coronavirus.