Pope Francis

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Video, with English commentary beginning at the 3:45 time mark, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope-francis/mass-casa-santa-marta/2020-03/pope-homily-hunger-coronavirus-people-of-god-clericalism.html

Pope at Mass prays for those experiencing hunger
28 March 2020, 09:33

Pope Francis’s intention for morning Mass celebrated at the Casa Santa Marta on Saturday morning is for all those experiencing hunger as a result of the measures to contain the coronavirus. (playback included)
By Sr Bernadette M. Reis, fsp

The Pope began Mass as the Casa Santa Marta on Saturday morning praying for those suffering from hunger because of the coronavirus pandemic. “In these days, in some parts of the world, we are beginning to see some consequences of the pandemic”, he said. “One is hunger.

“We're beginning to see people who are hungry because they can't work. They may not have had a regular job, and from many other circumstances. We're beginning to see the aftermath that will come later. But it's beginning now. We pray for the families who are beginning to find themselves in need because of the pandemic”.

Pope Francis focused on the separation between the leaders and the faithful, holy people of God evidenced in the Gospel reading from John 7:40-53.
 

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https://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/12660/vatican-releases-pope-s-coronavirus-easter-schedule

27 March 2020, The Tablet
Vatican releases Pope's 'coronavirus' Easter schedule
by Junno Arocho Esteves, CNS

With public gatherings, including Masses, banned in Italy to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the Vatican published an updated version of Pope Francis' schedule for Holy Week and Easter.

In a statement today, the Vatican said that all Holy Week celebrations will be celebrated at the Altar of the Chair in St Peter's Basilica "without the participation of the people".

The Vatican also said the release of the updated schedule takes into account the provisions made by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments.

Cardinal Robert Sarah, prefect of the congregation, said in a decree dated March 20 that because the chrism Mass is not formally part of the Triduum, a bishop can decide to postpone its celebration.

For the first time, the pope's schedule for Holy Week does not include the chrism Mass, which is usually celebrated the morning of Holy Thursday. During the liturgy, priests renew their promises and the oils used for the sacraments are blessed.

This year also will be the first time Pope Francis will celebrate the evening Mass of the Lord's Supper in the Vatican instead of at a prison, hospital or other institution.

The Congregation for Divine Worship said that "the washing of feet, which is already optional, is to be omitted" when there are no faithful present.

The congregation also said that bishops should advise the faithful of the times for the celebrations, so that they can pray at home at the same time.
 
https://zenit.org/articles/updated-calendar-of-holy-week-celebrations-presided-over-by-pope-francis/
Updated Calendar of Holy Week Celebrations Presided Over by Pope Francis
March 27, 2020 16:05

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Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-03/litany-supplication-urbi-et-orbi-pope-francis.html
Litany of Supplication used at special Urbi et orbi
29 March 2020, 14:34

After receiving a number of requests, please find below the English translation of the Litany of Supplication used during the prayer service on Friday evening presided over by Pope Francis on the steps of St Peter’s Basilica.

Litany of Supplication

We adore you, O Lord

True God and true man, truly present in this holy Sacrament.
     We adore you, O Lord
Our Savior, God with us, faithful and rich in mercy
     We adore you, O Lord
King and Lord of creation and of history
     We adore you, O Lord
Conqueror of sin and death
     We adore you, O Lord
Friend of humankind, the Risen One, the Living One who sits at the right hand of the Father.
     We adore you, O Lord
 

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https://www.ncregister.com/blog/edward-pentin/coronavirus-latest-italys-bishops-call-for-all-churches-to-be-closed

Mar. 29, 2020
Coronavirus Latest From Rome
Latest updates from the Eternal City in lockdown since March 10.
Edward Pentin
UPDATES (Rome time)
 
March 29, 4pm
In his post-Angelus appeal today, Pope Francis joined the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, in calling for a global ceasefire as the world faces the Covid-19 pandemic.

In his Angelus address, he called on Christians to take away the stones from their hearts, and let the Word of God restore life where there is death.
 
March 28, 5.04pm
Holy See Press Office spokesman Matteo Bruni has issued a statement confirming reports that a person tested positive yesterday for the coronavirus in the Pope's Casa Santa Marta residence, saying the total number of people who have contracted the virus in the Vatican now totals 6.
 
The statement reads:
“In recent days, as part of the checks carried out by the Health and Hygiene Directorate of the Vatican City State in compliance with the directives on the corona virus emergency, another individual has tested positive for Covid-19: an official of the Secretariat of State resident in Santa Marta who, showing some symptoms, was subsequently placed in isolation.

At the moment his health condition is not particularly critical, but as a precautionary measure the person was admitted to a Roman hospital for observation, in close contact with the authorities of the Health and Hygiene Directorate.

Following the positive result, measures were taken according to the health protocols provided, both with regard to the hygiene of the environment, the place of work and residence of the person concerned, and with regard to the reconstruction of the contacts made in the days prior to the result. The health authorities carried out tests on the people in the closest contact with the person found to be positive. The results confirmed the absence of other positive cases among those residing in Casa Santa Marta, and positive results among the Holy See's employees in closer contact with the official.

As a precautionary measure, given this further finding, appropriate sanitation measures were taken and new tests were carried out, 170 in total including the previous ones, on the employees of the Holy See and the residents of the Domus. These latter tests all gave negative results.

The people affected by Covid-19 between employees of the Holy See and citizens of the Vatican City State are, therefore, currently 6.

I can confirm that neither the Holy Father nor his closest collaborators are involved.”
 

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Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope-francis/mass-casa-santa-marta/2020-03/pope-raising-lazarus-homily-sunday-tears-jesus-weeps-compassion.html
Pope at Mass: 'I am thinking of the people who are weeping'
29 March 2020, 08:51

Pope Francis expresses the desire during Mass on Sunday morning at the Casa Santa Marta that this Fifth Sunday of Lent be a Sunday of tears. (playback included)
By Sr. Bernadette Mary Reis, FSP

“I am thinking of the many people who are weeping”, Pope Francis said, introducing the liturgy for the Fifth Sunday of Lent at the Casa Santa Marta chapel. People who are isolated, in quarantine, the elderly; people who are alone, in the hospital, parents who do not foresee receiving their salary and do not know how they will feed their children, he continued.

“Many people are weeping. We too, from our hearts, accompany them. It wouldn’t do us any harm to weep a bit as our Lord wept for all of His people”.

During his homily, the Pope continued with the theme of weeping, reflecting on the raising of Lazarus (Jn 11:1-45).
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-03/pope-angelus-take-away-the-stones-to-new-life.html

Pope Angelus: Take away the stones to new life
29 March 2020, 12:20

During the Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis calls on Christians to take away the stones from their hearts, and let the Word of God restore life where there is death.
By Vatican News

During his Angelus, on this fifth Sunday of Lent, livestreamed from the Library of the Apostolic Palace, Pope Francis took inspiration from the day’s Gospel; the resurrection of Lazarus.

The Pope recalled the desperation of Martha and Mary who said to Jesus, ‘If you had been here, my brother would not have died’.

Pope Francis reflected that Jesus, according to the Gospel, is moved by the tears of the sisters and cries aloud for Lazarus to come out of the tomb, which he does, wrapped in strips of linen.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-03/angelus-pope-appeals-for-global-ceasefire-amid-covid-pandemic.html
Angelus: Pope appeals for global ceasefire amid Covid pandemic
29 March 2020, 12:20

https://zenit.org/articles/angelus-address-fifth-sunday-of-lent-the-resurrection-of-lazarus/
Angelus Address: Fifth Sunday of Lent: The Resurrection of Lazarus
March 29, 2020 15:49  Jim Fair

Video, with English commentary, at the link below--
Pope's Angelus of 29 March 2020
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope-francis/angelus/2020-03/pope-s-angelus-of-29-march-2020.html
or
Pope Francis - Angelus prayer 2020-03-29
https://www.youtube.com/user/vatican

[grace-land]

https://www.ncregister.com/blog/edward-pentin/coronavirus-latest-italys-bishops-call-for-all-churches-to-be-closed

Mar. 29, 2020
Coronavirus Latest From Rome
Latest updates from the Eternal City in lockdown since March 10.
Edward Pentin
UPDATES (Rome time)
 
March 30, 11.10am
Pope Francis today received in private audience Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte who is leading the Italian government's response to the coronavirus outbreak. Photos: Vatican Media:
 

[grace-land]

Video, with English commentary, at the link

Pope at Mass: ‘We pray for those who remain in fear’
30 March 2020, 09:47

Pope Francis prayed for those overcome by “fear because of the pandemic”, and reflected on the two women from Monday’s readings during Mass at the Casa Santa Marta. (playback included)
By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp

The Pope’s intention for Mass on Monday morning at the Casa Santa Marta was “for the many people who are not succeeding in coping and remain in fear because of the pandemic. May the Lord help them”, he continued, “to have the strength to cope for the good of society and the entire community.”

The Pope’s homily was a reflection on Psalm 23. He applied it to the two women presented in the readings for the Fifth Monday of Lent: Susanna and the woman caught in adultery (Daniel 13; John 8:1-11).
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-03/pope-francis-replies-to-letter-to-pan-american-judge.html

Covid-19: Pope urges governments to act for the common good
30 March 2020, 15:15

Pope Francis responds to a letter from the President of the Pan American Committee of Judges for Social Rights and Franciscan Doctrine, addressing the issues of measures adopted by governments to defend their populations against the Covid-19 virus.
By Vatican News

Pope Francis opens his letter, dated March 28 and addressed to Dr. Roberto Andrés Gallardo, President of the Pan American Committee of Judges, by saying that “we are all concerned about the growth of the pandemic”.

Though the virus is spreading rapidly, the Pope says he is encouraged “by the reaction of so many doctors, nurses, volunteers, religious and priests, who put their lives at risk” in order to protect others.

The Pope recognises that some governments have taken “exemplary measures” and have well-defined priorities to defend the population”. Although some of these measures may be considered ‘irritating’ by some, the Pope acknowledges that they are put in place “for the common good”, and that most people “accept them and carry them forward with a positive attitude”. 
 

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https://www.ncregister.com/blog/edward-pentin/coronavirus-latest-italys-bishops-call-for-all-churches-to-be-closed

Mar. 30, 2020
Coronavirus Latest From Rome: Benedict XVI and His Staff Are Well
Latest updates from the Eternal City in lockdown since March 10.
Edward Pentin
UPDATES (Rome time)
 
March 30, 9.15pm

The Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and all those living at his residence in the Vatican Gardens are well, in good spirits, and have full trust in the Lord, a source very close to the residence has told the Register.

The source said all those at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery are following closely the reported guidelines on account of the coronavirus pandemic, and living as if in a “lockdown cloister” but they had not lost their “calm and good spirits and have full trust in the Lord.”
 
March 30, 8.48pm

The Vicar of Rome, Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, has tested positive for the coronavirus and hospitalised at Rome’s Gemelli hospital.

“He has a fever, but his general condition is good, and has begun antiviral treatment,” the vicariate said in a statement, adding that his “closest associates” have put themselves in isolation as a precaution.
 

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Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope-francis/mass-casa-santa-marta/2020-03/pope-homily-bronze-serpent-crucifix.html
Pope at Mass: Jesus bore all our sins
31 March 2020, 08:42

The intention of the Pope’s Mass at the Casa Santa Marta on Tuesday was for all who are homeless, and he reflected on the symbol of the serpent during his homily. (playback included)
By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp

“We pray today for those who are homeless”, were the words with which Pope Francis introduced the Mass at the Casa Santa Marta on Tuesday morning.

“At this moment in which everyone is supposed to be at home, may society, men and women, realize this reality and help them, and that the Church might welcome them.”

During his homily, he reflected on the symbol of the serpent presented in both readings of the Fifth Tuesday of Lent (Numbers 21:4-9 and John 8:21-30).
 
https://zenit.org/articles/contemplate-pray-give-thanks-our-proper-response-for-jesus-having-born-our-sins-full-text-of-pope-francismorning-homily/
‘Contemplate, Pray & Give Thanks:’ Our Proper Response for Jesus Having Born Our Sins (Full Text of Pope Francis’ Morning Homily)
At Casa Santa Marta, Prays for the Homeless
March 31, 2020 15:59  Deborah Castellano Lubov

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2020-03/holy-see-in-mourning-for-italy-and-for-the-world.html

Holy See in mourning for Italy and for the world
31 March 2020, 12:01

In an expression of solidarity with Italy and the whole world, the Vatican is joining an initiative promoted by Italian mayors to fly flags at half-mast in memory of victims of Covid-19.
By Vatican News

Cities and towns throughout Italy are flying their flags at half-mast at midday on Tuesday, 31 March, in mourning for the victims of Covid-19, and to honour “the sacrifice and commitment of healthcare workers”.

More than 38,000 people have died from coronavirus, and at least 700,000 people have been diagnosed with the disease.

The Holy See has willingly joined the initiative, as an expression of the Church’s “closeness to the victims of the pandemic in Italy and throughout the world, to their families, and to those who are generously fighting to put an end to it”, according to a statement from the Holy See Press Office.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2020-03/pope-francis-appointment-apostolic-nuncio-sudan-eritrea-munoz.html

Pope appoints new Apostolic Nuncio to Sudan and Eritrea
31 March 2020, 17:23

Monsignor Luis Miguel Munoz Cardaba of Spain has been appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Sudan and Eritrea.
By Vatican News

Pope Francis on Tuesday appointed Spanish Monsignor Luis Miguel Munoz Cardaba as the new Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See to Sudan and Eritrea.

At the same time, Monsignor Munoz, a counsellor at the Apostolic Nunciature in Turkey, has been nominated an archbishop with the titular see of Nasai.
 

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https://cruxnow.com/news-analysis/2020/03/pope-italian-pm-likely-talk-now-and-then-of-the-coronavirus/

Pope, Italian PM likely talk “now” and “then” of the coronavirus
John L. Allen Jr.  Mar 31, 2020
News Analysis

ROME - Monday’s surprise meeting between Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and Pope Francis inside the Vatican officially was billed as a “private” session, meaning there’s been no communique from either side about the contents of the discussion.

There was no advance notice, and the only information the Vatican released were pictures of Conte and Francis together - not always observing the recommended one meter of social distance, judging from the images, but likely using the hand sanitizer the Vatican has been dispensing to all papal visitors of late.

Unlike the first time Conte came calling on the pope in December 2018, he did not immediately take to his personal Facebook account to offer details.

(The last time Conte and the pope met was in August, at the end of a funeral service for the late Italian Cardinal Achille Silvestrini, the patron of a Roman institution called “Villa Nazareth” for university students where a young Conte once resided. While there, he also came to know a young priest on the faculty at the time named Pietro Parolin, today a cardinal and the Vatican’s Secretary of State.)

Despite the news blackout, it’s not difficult to guess what was on the agenda for today’s conversation, and it can be summarized in two words: “Now” and “then.”

In terms of the “now,” it’s likely no accident Conte dropped in on the pope just two days after his historic Urbi et Orbi blessing in a deserted St. Peter’s Square Friday night, which captured the imagination of the nation. It also comes as the pope’s 7:00 a.m. livestreamed Mass has become the most-watched daily event in the country beyond a 6:00 p.m. news conference updating statistics on the contagion, capturing an astronomic 24.85 percent audience share.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-03/pope-francis-coronavirus-suffering-intentions.html

COVID-19: The Pope’s closeness to those who are suffering
31 March 2020, 13:05

In his daily homilies at the Casa Santa Marta, Pope Francis continues to show how the Church is close to those suffering from the coronavirus pandemic.
By Vatican News

Every morning, in the Casa Santa Marta, Pope Francis dedicates his Mass to particular groups of people who are suffering the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

For the homeless

Most recently, on Tuesday, he prayed “for those who are homeless”:

“At this moment in which everyone is supposed to be at home, may society, men and women, realize this reality and help them, and that the Church might welcome them.”
 
The article posted on Vatican News titled "The Earth's Unlikely Ally: The changes in human behaviour due to the #Covid-19 pandemic are yielding unintended benefits to the planet" has been removed because it does not reflect the editorial line on the subject as indeed the hundreds of articles and interviews of these days published in all the languages of our portal demonstrate.

We realize that, while not in the editor's intentions, this article has hurt the sensibilities of many readers of Vatican News. For this we apologize to all of them and we thank them for the way they are following our work in this difficult time of emergency.

https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/vatican-news-calls-coronvirus-an-ally-of-the-earth-because-of-environmental-benefits
Vatican News pulls article calling coronavirus ‘ally’ of the Earth because of environmental benefits
'Earth is healing itself,' wrote a Jesuit priest in the now-deleted article.
Tue Mar 31, 2020 - 9:22 am EST

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2020-03/coronavirus-preprations-in-jerusalem-for-holy-week.html

Covid-19: Holy Land preparing for a new kind of Holy Week
31 March 2020, 15:10

With strict measures in place to curb the spread of Covid-19, the Catholic Church in the Holy Land is finding novel ways to help the faithful participate in liturgical celebrations leading up to Easter.
By Devin Watkins

Even the most sacred sites in Christianity have not been spared the ravages of the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic.

As part of measures to halt its spread, Holy Week and Easter celebrations in the places of Jesus’ life and death have to be held without a congregation.

In response, the Apostolic Administrator of Jerusalem has laid out pastoral guidelines for the celebration of Holy Week.

New challenge, new response

Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa called it “a unique situation that we have never seen before and which requires us to find new ways to celebrate.”

Liturgical celebrations at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre have been reduced to a minimum.

But Triduum and Easter celebrations in Christianity’s most sacred site will be live-streamed in Arabic by the Christian Media Center.

In the guidelines, Archbishop Pizzaballa invited parish priests in Jerusalem to provide the faithful with blessed olive branches and holy water.

Families, he said, are urged to make time to pray together at home and to participate in the liturgies with leaflets prepared by the diocese that contain the Mass readings.
 

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Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope-francis/mass-casa-santa-marta/2020-04/pope-francis-daily-mass-prays-for-media-workers.html
Pope Francis prays for those working in the media
01 April 2020, 09:34

At the daily Mass at Casa Santa Marta, Pope Francis prayed for all those who work in the media. He reflected on the importance of Christian discipleship, which means remaining in the Lord.
By Christopher Wells

Pope Francis’ prayer intention for Wednesday’s Mass at the Casa Santa Marta was “for all who work in the media, who work to communicate”. They are working, he said, “so that people are not so isolated; for the education of children, to help us to bear this time of isolation”.

In his homily, the Holy Father focused on the struggle between Jesus and the Doctors of the Law over His identity. Jesus, he said, ultimately backs them into a corner, and they resort to insults and blasphemy.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-04/pope-francis-general-audience-a-pure-heart-sees-god-beatitude.html

Pope at Audience: a pure heart sees God
01 April 2020, 12:15

Pope Francis focuses the catechesis of his General Audience on the sixth Beatitude, which promises that those with a pure heart will see God.
By Francesca Merlo

The sixth Beatitude promises that those with a pure heart will see God. Pope Francis began his catechesis explaining that anyone who seeks the face of God shows the desire for a “personal relationship” with Him.

Like the disciples at Emmaus, "blindness" comes from a foolish and slow heart, said the Pope. In this case, "one sees things clouded”, he added. 

The Lord opens the disciples’ eyes at the end of their journey, which culminates in the breaking of the bread.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-04/pope-francis-jesus-is-our-faithful-friend-general-audience.html
Pope: Jesus is a faithful friend, He accompanies and never disappoints
01 April 2020, 15:30

During the General Audience on Wednesday morning, Pope Francis reminds us that Jesus is a faithful friend, and invites us to call on the intercession of Pope Saint John Paul II.
By Alessandro di Bussolo

https://zenit.org/articles/pope-let-god-purify-our-hearts-experience-fullness-of-joyfull-text-of-general-audience/
Pope: Let God Purify Our Hearts & Experience Fullness of Joy (Full Text of General Audience)
April 01, 2020 12:44  Deborah Castellano Lubov

Video, with English commentary, at the link below--
Pope's General Audience of 1 April 2020
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope-francis/papal-audience/2020-04/pope-francis-general-audience-1-april-2020.html
or
Pope Francis - General Audience 2020-04-01
https://www.youtube.com/user/vatican

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2020-04/votive-mass-pandemic-intention-good-friday-liturgy.html

A votive Mass “in time of pandemic” and a new prayer for Good Friday
01 April 2020, 15:46

The Congregation for Divine Worship adds an intention to the Solemn Intercessions during the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion and proposes a votive Mass taking into consideration the crisis in which the world is living
By Vatican News

The Congregation for Divine Worship has issued a votive Mass for this time of pandemic, and a new intention for the Solemn Intercessions during the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday. The new liturgical texts are available on the Congregation’s website, along with the Decrees promulgating them. The documents had already been provided to the world’s bishops.

Good Friday intention

The intention for Good Friday includes a prayer “for those who suffer because of this pandemic”, that is, those who “suffer the consequences of the current pandemic" The prayer asks that God in His compassion might protect those who are suffering, relieve the pain of those who are sick, give strength to those who are taking care of them, and welcome the deceased into eternal peace.
 

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https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2020/04/damage-to-miraculous-crucifix-not-as-serious-as-reported-rector-says/

Damage to ‘miraculous crucifix’ not as serious as reported, rector says
Elise Ann Allen  Apr 1, 2020

ROME - According to Father Padre Enrico Casini, rector of Rome’s Saint Marcellus church, which houses the so-called “miraculous crucifix” believed to have been damaged during a prayer event with Pope Francis, the harm is not serious and they are expecting to get the priceless treasure back soon.

Speaking to Crux, Casini said “it’s possible” that the crucifix suffered “a little bit” of damage, as it sat under a steady rainfall for around two hours, but from his understanding, “it’s something light that can be fixed in a short time.”

Dating to the 15th century, the crucifix gained a miraculous reputation after surviving a fire in 1519 which burned the original church housing it to the ground. According to tradition, the morning after the fire the crucifix was found completely intact, and since then it has become a point of reference for those seeking special graces.