Covid-19: Pope expresses love and concern for people of New York

Candlit vigil by New York nurses and supporters - image Vatican News

Source: Archdiocese of New York/Vatican News

Pope Francis reached out to the people of New York in a phone call to Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York on Tuesday.

Cardinal Dolan said in a statement: "Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, called me this afternoon at about 2pm to express his love, concern, and closeness to all the people of New York, especially those who are sick, during the coronavirus outbreak.

The Pope, who was calling from his residence in Casa Santa Marta, said that New Yorkers were in his prayers in a special way at this time. He asked me to relay his prayerful best wishes to the sick, the doctors, nurses, EMT's, medical professionals, and caregivers who are tending to them, our civic leaders, as well as our priests, religious, and lay people. He mentioned in a special way Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio and the people of the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens, and I happily shared the Holy Father's words with Bishop DiMarzio immediately thereafter.

I thanked the Pope for the leadership he has displayed during this global pandemic, and assured him of the love and prayers of the people of New York for him and his ministry."

As of Tuesday, 126,000 have died worldwide, with more than 26,000 alone in the US. Italy comes next with 21,067, followed by Spain with 18,579.

New York State is the worst hit among the country's 50 states, with over 203,000 infections (+30% of the country's cases) and close to 11,000 deaths (+40%). New York City alone accounts for 110,465 infections and 7,905 deaths. The city's Queens County has the heaviest load with 33,616 infections and 2,105 fatalities.

LINK

Archdiocese of New York - https://archny.org/