On Sunday, Pope Francis walked along the Via del Corso to pray at a crucifix in the church of San Marcello on the Corso, which in 1522 was carried throughout Rome to bring an end to plague. Pope Francis prayed for an end to the coronavirus pandemic.

In an interview with Italian journalist Paolo Rodari, Pope Francis shared his prayer he offered on his pilgrimage to the Roman churches of Saints Mary Major and Marcello on the Via del Corso last Sunday.

“I asked the Lord to stop the epidemic: ‘Lord, stop it with your hand.’ That is what I prayed for.”

Francis offered the following advice:

“We need to rediscover the concreteness of small things, the small acts of kindness shown to those who are close to us, family, friends.

“We need to realize that our treasure lies in small things. There are tiny gestures that sometimes get lost in the routine of everyday life, gestures of tenderness, affection, compassion, that are nevertheless decisive, important.

“Listening to one another is important because we understand one another’s needs, struggles, and desires. There is a language made of concrete gestures.”

“We are all children of God, and he watches over us. Even those who do not have the gift of faith, can find their way through the good things that they believe in. We can believe in the love of the people around us, and there we can find hope.”

Obtained from: www.ccvichapel.org/post/pope-francis-prayer / Original source: www.vaticannews.va

Header: Vatican Media.