The preacher of the papal household said on April 10, Good Friday, that "Christ's cross changed the meaning of pain and human suffering, in that both are no longer viewed as divine punishment or a curse."

Prison guards, probation officers and volunteers also authored some of the meditations, which were released in Italian April 3 by Libreria Editrice Vaticana, the Vatican publishing house.

The papal almoner's office announced March 26 that the pope was donating 30 ventilators to "hospitals in the areas most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pope prayed for prisoners and their families who are unable to visit because of the Italian government's strict social-distancing measures.

"I don't like that word because optimism sounds to me like makeup," something false and superficial, he said. "I have hope in humanity, in men and women, and I have hope in the people."

Dressed in white vestments to commemorate the feast of St. Joseph March 19, the pope expressed his closeness to prisoners "who suffer so much in this moment of uncertainty and pain."

Public gatherings, including Masses, have been banned in Italy through April 3, two days before Palm Sunday.

During this time of coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis is calling for prayers not only for our elected leaders who are dealing with the crisis, but also for religious who are trying to provide spiritual sustenance for their flocks.

Cardinal Peter Turkson says that this period of the coronavirus pandemic is a time for solidarity among peoples.

Three former students at a school for the deaf in Argentina traveled to Rome to demand Pope Francis and Vatican officials release records on priests who abused them and other students.