Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, the president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, has said that the pandemic has forced everyone to face the greatest of all fears: the fear of death and dying.

Archbishop Paglia told CNS that just as people were called to self-isolate in order to care for one another, racism can only be defeated by people caring for each other.

The pope will pray at the replica of the Lourdes Grotto in the Vatican Gardens May 30, the eve of Pentecost, and will also be joined by several "men and women representing various categories of people particularly affected by the virus."

A study by the State University of Milan, Italy, has reported that the fear and uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic has led to an increase in religiosity and devotional practice within the country.

During Sunday Mass on May 17, Pope Francis publicly thanked all those workers who help sanitize hospitals and neighborhoods during the pandemic and offered prayers for their work and safety.

In a letter commemorating the centenary of Pope Saint John Paul II's birth, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI reflects that John Paul sought to spread the message that "God's mercy is intended for every individual" and that the late pope was no "moral rigorist" that some have portrayed him as being.

Mindful of how migrant farmworkers are often exploited, the Italian government has granted temporary residency to those agricultural workers who do not have proper documentation.

As countries continue to reel from the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis offered prayers for the men and women who have been unable to work.

Officials in Vatican City are cautiously preparing protocols for reopening various sites to the public so that people will be safe from the coronavirus.

Cardinal Anders Arborelius of Sweden is concerned that Sweden's relaxed attitude toward handling the pandemic will adversely affect the most vulnerable, particularly the elderly, minorities and children.