COVID-19

Cultural gap between US and Rome clear in recent reactions to Biden
- May 9, 2021
Abortion is not the conversation about Biden that’s prevailed here in Rome over the past week, where the top note instead has been praise for the president’s decision to waive intellectual property rights for Covid vaccines in order to speed up distribution to poorer nations.

By John L. Allen Jr.
Pope doubles down in press for equity in vaccine distribution
- May 9, 2021
To make his point, the pope joined a concert hosted by Selena Gomez and organized by Prince Harry And Meghan Markle, with a lineup that included Jennifer Lopez, Foo Fighters, David Letterman, Olivia Munn and Sean Penn.

By Inés San Martín
COVID-19 takes toll on Indian church leaders
- May 7, 2021
Amid thousands dying daily of COVID-19, even in rural areas of India, the pandemic has taken a heavy toll on church leaders.

By Anto Akkara

Humility, open mind needed to crack coronavirus’ secrets, expert says
- May 7, 2021
Much is still unknown about the 2019 novel coronavirus and why it can kill so many people and yet also can infect many more without causing any symptoms, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the United States’ top infectious disease expert, told a Vatican conference.

By Carol Glatz

Move to waive vaccine patents is good step, says Catholic health official
- May 7, 2021
The Biden administration’s May 5 announcement that it supports waiving intellectual property protections for COVID-19 vaccines — as a means to expand the vaccine’s production and distribution — is a move the Vatican has been suggesting.

By Carol Zimmermann
Pope prays emergency workers in India find strength to persevere
- May 6, 2021
As India faces a massive surge in new infections and deaths caused by COVID-19, Pope Francis said he was praying for all those affected by the huge health emergency.

By Carol Glatz
Vatican conference to discuss ‘mind, body, and soul’ of medical advances
- May 6, 2021
On Thursday, the Fifth International Vatican Conference will begin to explore “the mind, body and soul,” bringing together religious leaders, scientists and personalities from sports and Hollywood.

By Inés San Martín
CNEWA launches appeal to help Indian churches respond to COVID-19 crisis
- May 5, 2021
Catholic Near East Welfare Association has launched an emergency campaign to help India’s local churches respond to the escalating COVID-19 crisis, announced Msgr. Peter I. Vaccari, CNEWA president.

By Catholic News Service