Italy Will Resume Public Masses As Lockdown Measures Begin To Relax

on April 28, 2020 in Pisa, Italy. Italy will remain on lockdown to stem the transmission of the Coronavirus (Covid-19), slowly easing restrictions.
LIVORNO, ITALY - MAY 03: The priest gives communion to the faithful during the Sunday mass maintaining the social distance to guarantee health safety standards at Santuario di Montenero on May 3, 2020 in Livorno, It... LIVORNO, ITALY - MAY 03: The priest gives communion to the faithful during the Sunday mass maintaining the social distance to guarantee health safety standards at Santuario di Montenero on May 3, 2020 in Livorno, Italy. In Italy the celebration of mass, with people in attendance is still prohibited. This has created a lot of tension with the CEI bishops who are pressing for a reopening, as other activities will open on May 4th. Many priests celebrate mass, while respecting the social distances and health rules, despite the ban. Italy will remain on lockdown to stem the transmission of the Coronavirus (Covid-19), slowly easing restrictions.There have been over 210,000 reported COVID-19 cases in Italy and more than 28,000 deaths. (Photo by Laura Lezza/Getty Images) MORE LESS
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ROME — After an outcry from the nation’s Roman Catholic bishops, Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte says he has signed an accord with church officials to allow resumption of public Masses during the pandemic.

Under Italy’s two-month lockdown decree, no Masses for rank-and-file faithful have been permitted, although some churches could stay open for individual prayer.

Faithful in the predominantly Roman Catholic nation will be able to attend Mass starting on May 18, the same day that many more retail shops are tentatively scheduled to reopen.

The Italian Catholic Bishops Conference said the protocol reached on Thursday includes measures aimed at protecting Mass-goers from COVID-19 contagion, including the sanitizing of churches and objects used in them.

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