Pope Francis said on Sunday the worst of the coronavirus crisis was over in Italy, addressing the faithful for the first time in Saint Peter’s Square since the health emergency began.
The pontiff’s address came a day after the Vatican said there were no more cases of COVID-19 within its population.
“Your presence in the square is a sign that in Italy the acute phase of the epidemic is over,” Francis told those assembled for his weekly Angelus prayer.
“But be careful… do not celebrate victory too soon,” he added, warning of the need to continue following social distancing rules.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement late Saturday that the last person found to have been infected with the coronavirus in recent weeks had tested negative.
“Today there are no more cases of coronavirus among employees of the Vatican,” or within Vatican City, he said.
Source: Guardian Newspaper.