Francis presided at an outdoor prayer service with about 130 people, including many directly affected by the pandemic. They prayed the rosary in the Vatican gardens as tens of thousands of people in about 50 Catholic shrines around the world joined in. In his closing prayer, Francis said national leaders should take a far-sighted attitude, helping the most needy now and putting in place long-term economic and social solutions. Earlier this month, Francis called for international scientific cooperation to develop a vaccine and said any successful one should be shared globally. For nearly three months, Francis has led televised Masses, general audiences and Sunday addresses from inside the Vatican with no public.

Source: Dhaka Tribune May 30, 2020 17:15 UTC