Health

Italian clergyman in pope’s residence has virus

By Chief Editor·March 26, 2020·1 min read·78 views

FridayPosts editorial image · Italian clergyman in pope’s residence has virus

An Italian employee of the Holy See who lives in the same residence as Pope Francis was reported Thursday to have tested positive for COVID-19 and been hospitalised. Several Italian newspapers with reputable sources in the Vatican said the clergyman has lived for years in Saint Martha’s guest house. Pope Francis has remained largely secluded at his residence since coming down with a cold at the end of last month.

He also has private meetings there and occasionally moves to the Vatican library to record live-streamed messages to the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics. The La Stampa and Il Messagro newspapers said the unnamed person has been hospitalised in Rome and steps have been taken to disinfect the building. La Stampa additionally reported that Pope Francis has been “eating alone in his room for some time” as a precaution. “He spends much of his time in his apartment, and when he moves inside the residence, he keeps the necessary safe distances,” La Stampa wrote. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni told AFP he could neither confirm nor deny the reports. The official Vatican News website said the number of people infected in the city-state has risen to four. This includes one person who first tested positive on March 6. “The new cases include an employee of the merchandise office and two employees of the Vatican Museums,” the official news site said. The Argentine-born pontiff has enjoyed a life of good health despite losing part of a lung as a young man and suffered from sciatica — a nerve condition that causes pain in his hip. [GuardianNG]

Was this worth your time?

#Clergyman#COVID-19#Italy#Pope

About the author

Chief Editor

FridayPosts publishes independent reporting, expert interpretation and practical ideas for decision-makers in Nigeria, Africa and beyond.

Reader conversation

0 approved comments

No approved comments yet. Add the first thoughtful response.

Italian clergyman in pope’s residence has virus

Chief Editor

Reader conversation

More on this story

Nigeria’s Hospitals Need Reliable Electricity. Who Should Pay for the Solar Systems?

Can Your Local Pharmacist Become the Front Door to Healthcare in Nigeria?

Can Health Insurance Prevent Nigerians From Waiting Until They Are Critically Ill Before Seeing a Doctor?

Elevating Wellbeing: A Comprehensive Approach to Nutrition, Exercise, and Mental Resilience

Latest from FridayPosts

FridayPosts 50: The 50 Things Nigeria’s Education System Must Get Right Before 2030

Olu Jacobs Did More Than Act: What His Generation Built for Nollywood

Top 10 Products Nigeria Should Be Selling More of to African Countries

Can Nigeria Turn University Sport Into a Pipeline for Olympic Athletes and Professional Careers?

What readers are choosing

Tinubu, Osinbajo raise alarm over plots by alleged propagandists

Biography of Reverend Olusola Ayodele Areogun

Maximizing His Presence

Understanding Your Season: Discovering the Secret to Generational Influence

Make FridayPosts part of your information advantage.