Pope’s special prayers for end to Covid-19 timely

FILE: Pope Francis greets staff and students of the Alphonsian Academy in Rome. (Photo: Vatican News/Facebook)

MANILA – Pope Francis’ call to Catholics around the world to join him in praying the rosary along with two special prayers next month asking God to end the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic is timely, Col. Raul Cirio, chief chaplain of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), said on Tuesday.

Fr. Cirio made the comment after receiving from the Catholic church hierarchy the two prayers to be “united” and “overcome” the deadly virus that has reportedly infected over 3 million people worldwide.

He said the two special prayers will be recited at the end of the Rosary during the month of May, begging for divine intervention to stop the Covid-19 pandemic that has affected the entire humanity.

In his letter to all Catholic dioceses all over the world, the Pope said the month of May is “a time when the People of God express with particular intensity their love and devotion for the Blessed Virgin Mary”.

“It is traditional in this month to pray the Rosary at home within the family. The restrictions of the pandemic have made us come to appreciate all the more this ‘family’ aspect, also from a spiritual point of view,” the Pope said.

He said praying the Rosary can be done either as a group or individually.

“The key to doing this is always simplicity, and it is easy also on the internet to find good models of prayers to follow,” the Pope added.

The Pope said he himself will recite the prayers “in spiritual union with all of you”.

“I keep all of you in my prayers, especially those suffering most greatly, and I ask you, please, to pray for me. I thank you, and with great affection I send you my blessing,” he added.

Fr. Cirio stressed the importance of “going back to the basic of our faith such as repentance and asking God’s mercy”.

“We are holding regular interfaith prayers that include Catholics, Protestants and Imams, praying to stop the virus,” Cirio said.

The adoration is being broadcast live over DWDD, the AFP radio station.