World Mar 19 Italian death toll overtakes China’s as virus spreads The death toll in Italy from the coronavirus overtook China’s on Thursday, and infections in the United States climbed past 10,000, in a stark illustration of how the crisis has pivoted toward the West.
Economy Mar 17 ‘How are we going to eat?’ Novel coronavirus tests Europe’s social nets Governments across Europe are deferring tax payments, approving short-term unemployment schemes and paid sick leave to try to cushion the economic blow to businesses and blue collar workers alike from virus-containment measures.
Health Mar 13 ‘Not a wave, a tsunami.’ Italy hospitals at virus limit Every day is a scramble to find more intensive care beds than the critically ill who need them. There still aren't enough protective masks to go around.
World Mar 11 WATCH: WHO declares that COVID-19 crisis is now a pandemic Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who heads the U.N. agency, said the WHO is “deeply concerned by the alarming levels of spread and severity” of the outbreak. He also expressed concern about “the alarming levels of inaction.”…
Health Mar 09 Prisoners in Italy riot amid virus containment, 6 die in overdose There are riots in at least two-dozen lock-ups and officials confirmed six prisoners died after they broke into an infirmary and overdosed on methadone.
Health Feb 24 Italy tries to contain virus as neighbors fear its spread Cases of the COVID-19 virus have made Italy the focal point of the outbreak in Europe and fears of its cross-border spread.
Health Feb 21 Italy’s novel coronavirus cases rise to 17 as cluster emerges The number of people in Italy infected with the new virus from China more than quadrupled Friday.
World Feb 12 Pope does not approve ordination of married men in the Amazon In an eagerly-awaited document, Francis didn’t even refer to recommendations by Amazonian bishops to consider the ordination of married men and women deacons. Rather, he urged bishops to pray for more priestly vocations and send missionaries to the region.
Nation Jan 23 Cleveland bishop Nelson Perez to become first Hispanic archbishop of Philadelphia The next Roman Catholic archbishop of Philadelphia says it's “awesome" to be back in the city where his pastoral career began. The Vatican on Thursday announced the appointment of Nelson Perez, currently the bishop of Cleveland.
World Jan 13 Vatican tamps down clamor over Benedict’s new celibacy book The French daily Le Figaro late Sunday published excerpts of the book “From the Depths of Our Hearts: Priesthood, Celibacy and the Crisis of the Catholic Church," co-authored with conservative Cardinal Robert Sarah.