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Churches Across Italy Reopen With New Rules

Sabina Castelfranco

   ROME - Churches across Italy prepared to reopen Monday with new rules
   at the end of a more than 2-month lockdown due to Covid-19. Pope
   Francis celebrated his last streaming morning mass to mark the
   centenary of the birth of Saint John Paul II.

   After intense preparations inside the churches, the faithful are
   returning to services Monday, as the country emerges from a very rigid
   lockdown due to the coronavirus. Saint Peter's Basilica also opens its
   doors again after Pope Francis celebrated an early morning mass to mark
   the centenary of the birth of Saint John Paul II.

   Speaking in front of the tomb of John Paul II, Francis recalled how the
   Polish pope was a good pastor who visited the people all over the world
   and spoke of the three traits that characterized him most.

   "Prayer, closeness to the people and love for justice," Francis said.

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