coronavirus
Pope criticizes people going on holiday to flee COVID lockdowns
Speaking after his weekly noon blessing, Francis said he had read newspaper reports of people catching flights to flee government curbs and seek fun elsewhere.
“They didn’t think about those who were staying at home, of the economic problems of many people who have been hit hard by the lockdown, of the sick people. [They thought] only about going on holiday and having fun,” the pope said.
“This really saddened me,” he said in a video address from the library of the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace.
The traditional Angelus blessing is normally given from a window overlooking St. Peter’s Square, but it was moved indoors to prevent any crowds gathering and limit the spread of COVID-19.
“We don’t know what 2021 will reserve for us, but what all of us can do together is make a bit more of an effort to take care of each other. There is the temptation to take care only of our own interests,” he added.
Many countries have imposed strict restrictions to prevent the spread of coronavirus, which has killed some 1.83 million people worldwide, according to the latest Reuters tally.
Share this article:
EU Reporter publishes articles from a variety of outside sources which express a wide range of viewpoints. The positions taken in these articles are not necessarily those of EU Reporter. Please see EU Reporter’s full Terms and Conditions of publication for more information EU Reporter embraces artificial intelligence as a tool to enhance journalistic quality, efficiency, and accessibility, while maintaining strict human editorial oversight, ethical standards, and transparency in all AI-assisted content. Please see EU Reporter’s full A.I. Policy for more information.
Counterfeit cigarettes drive illicit tobacco trade to highest level in a decade, new study claims
Libya’s fuel crisis offers lessons for energy security on both sides of the Mediterranean
EU Cybersecurity Act could expose member states to costly investment treaty claims, legal opinion warns
In space, we can’t defend what we can’t see
Spring semester package: Steering EU economies to increased competitiveness
Kazakhstan seeks deeper EU partnership in science, education and innovation
Outrage of Iranian exiles and opposition of MEPs to inviting Reza Pahlavi to the European Parliament
OceanEye: Placing the EU at the forefront of ocean observation
EU Drugs Agency warns of new health risks, including a rising trend in ketamine use
Commission imposes interim measures on Meta to preserve free access to WhatsApp for rival AI assistants
Debt, AI and Algorithms: How the bond market is being reshaped
EDF’s first-ever FSTP sub-call attracts strong interest from newcomers to EU defence funding
EU implements Palestine facility with $395 million for local banks and €2.1 million in technical assistance
EU exports of shark fins dropped in 2025
Commission approves €23 billion Italian state aid scheme to support renewable electricity production
Justice and Home Affairs Council
Kazakhstan reforms under scrutiny at Brussels Press Club round table
Japan should face up to history and contribute more to regional peace
Ambassador calls for 'speeding up' of co-operation between EU and Kazakhstan
Timur Turlov at Smart Moves Summit 2025: How chess can transform global education
Shevtsova’s case: Out-of-court sanctions dismantling trust in Ukrainian cause
The future of European transport
Trump Vs Trueman
US 'no longer' an 'unconditional ally' for Europe - MEP
-
Health5 days agoCounterfeit cigarettes drive illicit tobacco trade to highest level in a decade, new study claims
-
Libya5 days agoLibya’s fuel crisis offers lessons for energy security on both sides of the Mediterranean
-
Law4 days agoEU Cybersecurity Act could expose member states to costly investment treaty claims, legal opinion warns
-
Space5 days agoIn space, we can’t defend what we can’t see