Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, who acts as bishop of Rome on behalf of the pope, has tested positive for the new coronavirus, the diocese of Rome (Vicariate) announced on Monday. After the manifestation of certain symptoms, Cardinal Vicar De Donatis, 66, "was subjected to a sample for Covid-19" which revealed "a positive result," said this press release. Pope Francis is the bishop of Rome but the charge is effectively exercised by the vicar general.
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The cardinal "has a fever but his general condition is good, and he has started antiviral therapy", adds the vicariate who specifies that the high prelate was admitted to the Roman hospital Gemelli and that his close collaborators began to isolation. The Vatican officially announced on Saturday six cases of Covid-19 among employees and residents of the small state, stressing that neither the pope nor his closest entourage were concerned. The pope, who received an Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Monday, is surrounded by a strict sanitary cordon.
"I am also living this ordeal, I am serene and confident," said Cardinal De Donatis, quoted in the press release. "I see this moment as an opportunity that providence gives me to share the sufferings of so many brothers and sisters," he adds.
After announcing on March 12 the closure of all the churches in Rome to curb the contagion, Cardinal De Donatis partially reverted the following day by announcing the reopening of the parish churches.
In essence, the churches that tourists visit remained closed, those where the faithful of the district usually go to mass remained open. But no mass is held there.
“The risk for people is to feel even more isolated. This is the reason for this new decree (...) to leave only the parish churches open, "explained Cardinal Angelo De Donatis.
He said that his decision followed a discussion with Pope Francis. He said on March 13 that "draconian measures are not always good", calling on bishops and priests not to leave the faithful "alone" in the face of the coronavirus.