Coronavirus forces famous church in Rome to close its doors after infected priest

The French Community Church in Rome, Saint-Louis, closed its doors to the public, after a priest was infected with the emerging Coronavirus “Covid-19”. Pope Francis announced that he would not 

The French Community Church in Rome, Saint-Louis, closed its doors to the public, after a priest was infected with the emerging Coronavirus “Covid-19”. Pope Francis announced that he would not participate in a 6-day spiritual retreat in southern Rome after suffering a cold.

The church in the center of Rome is famous for its three paintings by the Italian artist Caravaggio, which makes it a destination for tourists and worshipers alike.

A sign on the door in French stated that the church was closed as a precaution by the French embassy in front of the public and tourist visits until further notice.

A statement from the Archbishop of Paris, Michel Obeti, said that the priest who was living in Rome, returned to Paris by car in mid-February, and was infected with the virus on Friday.

Pope Francis, 83, suffered a cold and said, “Unfortunately, the cold forced me not to participate this year,” he said after a sermon, during which he spoke about the migrant crisis at the border between Turkey and Greece.

The annual retreat will begin on Sunday, and participation will be limited to members of the administrative and executive parties of the Vatican, while the Pope will stay at his home.

The Vatican denied speculation that the Pope might be infected with the Coronavirus, and a Vatican spokesman said, “There is no evidence to suggest any other diagnosis except for minor illness.”