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"During these days, I will celebrate Mass for the sick people affected by this Coronavirus epidemic, for the doctors, the nurses, the volunteers who help a lot, the relatives, the elderly who live in retirement homes, for the inmates who are in locked up (in prison)," the Pontiff said.
On Sunday, in an extraordinary measure aimed at discouraging crowds and minimizing viral transmission, Pope Francis did not appear at his Vatican window to deliver his Angelus blessing.
Instead, a live stream of his reading, his comments and reciting prayers inside the Vatican's apostolic library was shown on screens set up in St. Peter's Square.
Francis then appeared from his window for a few seconds to wave to small groups of people gathered at the square.
But he made no comments, having already delivered the broadcast remarks.
The measure was aimed at discouraging crowds from gathering in the square, where on days with good weather as many as 40-thousand people can turn out to watch the Pope.
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