Pope greets faithful, prays for virus victims

Pope Francis held his general audience in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday and sent his prayers to victims of the new coronavirus and the medical personnel treating them. A handful of the thousands of faithful gathered wore face masks to protect against the virus, which originated in China and has infected thousands globally, including more than 300 people in Italy.

Francis kissed at least one child as he looped through the square in his popemobile and made a point to shake hands with the faithful sitting in the front row.

Usually, he only waves.

He also greeted prelates with a handshake at the beginning and end of the gathering, but it appeared most clergy were refraining from kissing Francis' ring or embracing him, as they normally would do.

Later in the day, Francis is to celebrate an Ash Wednesday Mass at a Rome church, a procession and ritual that begins the 40-day Lenten period of fasting and penance in the run-up to Holy Week and Easter.