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Pope Francis made a surprise visit first thing in the morning to the Spanish Steps in Rome to pray for people fighting the pandemic.
ROME – On Tuesday, Pope Francis made an early morning surprise visit to the Spanish Steps in Rome to pray for people around the world fighting the pandemic.
The Vatican said last week that due to concerns about social distancing, Francis would cancel the traditional December 8 visit to the square in the afternoon that draws large crowds.
Instead, with the rain falling and dawn, Francis appeared in the square at the foot of the Spanish Steps at 7am (0600 GMT), two hours after the end of the night curfew in Italy.
Francisco left a basket of white roses at the base of an imposing column that is crowned by a statue of the Virgin Mary, prayed and less than 15 minutes later left.
Except possibly for some dog walkers and other early risers, few people were in the center of Rome at that time, as December 8, a day dedicated to Mary, is an official holiday in Italy, as well as in the Vatican.
Francis “addressed her (Mary) in prayer, so that she watches over Rome and its inhabitants with love, entrusting to all those in this city and in the world who are afflicted by the disease (COVID-19) and are discouraged” Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement.
While in the square, the Pope wore a protective mask, which he has rarely done in public appearances until now during the pandemic.
Before returning to Vatican City, where he resides in a hotel, Francis stopped to pray a little more and celebrate Mass at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.
At the start of the pandemic, Francis made a similar pop-up visit to a little-frequented church in the heart of central Rome to pray, surprising the few Romans who were in the area during the exceptionally strict closure measures.
The early December holiday traditionally marks the beginning of Christmas shopping in Rome, and thousands of Romans and tourists typically flock to the narrow streets near the Spanish Steps, lined by elegant shops to see the Pope.
Francis cited those official restrictions against crowding when he later greeted people who braved the rain in St. Peter’s Square to receive his blessing, which he delivered from a window of the Apostolic Palace.
“We have to obey,” Francis said, publicly explaining why he decided to forego the afternoon appearance in the Italian capital.
In separate written comments, Francisco stressed the need for everyone to have a job when the world emerges from the pandemic.
He noted that unemployment has reached “record levels even in nations that have enjoyed some degree of prosperity for decades.”
“How can we talk about human dignity without working to ensure that everyone can earn a decent living?” wrote the Pope. He urged people “to find ways to express our firm belief that no person, no person at all, no family should be out of work.”
As he did previously during the pandemic, the Pope praised what he called the “ordinary people” who have kept the world going while reeling under the pressure of the global pandemic. He cited those who provide essential services: health workers and merchants, cleaners and caretakers and “so many others.”
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