Pope Francis speaks in an empty St. Peter’s Square during a Holy Hour and extraordinary urbi et orbi blessing, March 27, 2020. / Credit: Vatican Media
CNA Staff, Mar 11, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).
Five years ago, on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the COVID-19 pandemic. Days later, on March 15, 2020, life as we knew it changed as lockdowns went into effect.
Remembering those early days and the many months that followed brings up painful memories, grief, and anxiety for many, but there were grace-filled moments that punctured the fear and uncertainty.
As the world marks five years since the pandemic began, CNA takes a look back in images at some of the moving moments that showed the grace and mercy of God in action.
Pope Francis gives an extraordinary urbi et orbi blessing in St. Peter’s Square, March 27, 2020. Credit: Vatican Media
A woman prays alone during the COVID-19 lockdowns at Our Lady of Angels Church in Brooklyn, New York. Credit: Jeffrey Bruno
Bishop Peter Baldacchino of the Diocese of Las Cruces, New Mexico, celebrates Mass in a parking lot during the COVID-19 lockdown on April 9, 2020. Credit: David McNamara/Diocese of Las Cruces
Father Don Giuseppe celebrates the Mass in front of portraits and selfies sent by the parishioners on March 17, 2020, in Robbiano, Italy. Credit: Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images
A priest uses gloves and a mask to give Communion to the faithful during Mass at the Church of Sant’Eugenio in Rome on May 18, 2020. Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA
Sister Anne Kateri of the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal turns to the internet to bring the Gospel to the faithful who were unable to gather for Mass during the COVID-19 pandemic. Credit: Jeffrey Bruno
Father Kenard Tuzenue celebrates Mass in the parking lot of St. Mary’s Parish in Barnegat/Manahawkin, New Jersey. Credit: Jeffrey Bruno
Health care staff attend Mass at the Hotel Dieu de France Hospital on May 8, 2020, in the COVID-19 section of the hospital located in the eastern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon. Credit: Hotel Dieu de France Hospital/AFP via Getty Images
Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop David O’Connell looks at candles placed on an altar representing people who lost their lives during the coronavirus pandemic during a nondenominational memorial service in Long Beach, California, on Nov. 14, 2020. Credit: Apu Gomes/AFP via Getty Images
A Catholic Church in England during the COVID-19 pandemic. Credit: Mazur/cbcew.org.uk
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Christmas Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica Dec. 24, 2022. / Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA
Rome Newsroom, Nov 28, 2023 / 09:03 am (CNA).
As the preparatory season of Advent draws near, the Vatican has published the schedule of Pope Francis’ liturgies for Christmas 2023 through the Jan. 7 feast of the Baptism of the Lord.
Most of the liturgies will take place in St. Peter’s Basilica.
Following his custom in recent years, Pope Francis will preside over a Christmas Eve “Mass at Night” at 7:30 p.m. in the basilica.
On Christmas Day, he will deliver the traditional “urbi et orbi” (“to the city and the world”) blessing from the central balcony on the front of St. Peter’s Basilica. This blessing is given only on Christmas and Easter or on other exceptional occasions and includes the pope’s wishes for peace in the world.
For the vigil of the Jan. 1 solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, the pope will preside over first vespers, also known as evening prayer. The prayer service will also include the singing of the “Te Deum,” a Latin hymn of thanksgiving from the early Church.
This year, Dec. 31 will also mark the first anniversary of the death of Pope Benedict XVI at the age of 95.
On Jan. 1, 2024, Pope Francis will preside over a Mass at 10 a.m. for the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. The first day of the year is also commemorated as the World Day of Peace.
For the solemnity of Epiphany, which is observed in Italy and the Vatican on Jan. 6, Francis will again preside at a Mass at 10 a.m.
And on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Jan. 7, Pope Francis will preside at a Mass in the Sistine Chapel, where he will also baptize the babies of several Vatican employees.
Among other pre-Christmas festivities, the Vatican will also unveil its Nativity scene and light its Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square on Dec. 9, one day after the Dec. 8 solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, when Pope Francis will mark the feast day by honoring the Virgin Mary with a prayer near the Spanish Steps.
U.S. Supreme Court building. / Credit: Steven Frame/Shutterstock
Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jul 19, 2024 / 16:21 pm (CNA).
Pro-life sidewalk counselors — who work to deter women from getting abortions and connect them with life-affirming pregna… […]
Washington D.C., Apr 17, 2017 / 08:31 pm (CNA/EWTN News).-
Easter is a joyous reminder that Jesus’ Resurrection overcomes fear and doubt, the U.S. bishops said in their 2017 Easter message.
“Through Christ’s passion, His burial in the tomb and His glorious resurrection, we come to realize the enormity of the Lord’s sacrifice for us,” Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said April 17.
While we may feel unworthy of this love, he said, “Let us not be afraid. Let’s allow ourselves to be taken – even seized – with Easter joy.”
Cardinal DiNardo, who heads the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, reflected on Mary Magdalene’s fear and doubt as she stood by the Tomb of Jesus Christ.
“There, it was Jesus who rescued Mary from her fears and darkness by calling her name,” the cardinal said. “Jesus calls out to each of us by name today as He did the very first Easter Sunday. His promise fulfilled. His word brings life, ‘I am the Good Shepherd and I know mine’.”
“Jesus waits for you and me, embracing us in our moments of greatest need and desire,” Cardinal DiNardo said. “Welcome the love of God into your life. Share it those around you, especially the most vulnerable of our sisters and brothers.”
Cardinal DiNardo’s message was recorded in a video posted to the Facebook page of the U.S. bishops’ conference.
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