Millions of people around the world joined Pope Francis online, on television and radio, as he led prayers for an end of the COVID-19 virus on a rainy Friday evening, from the steps of St Peter’s Basilica. ICN News

The hour of prayer began with the gospel story of Jesus calming the storm (Mark 4:35-41) and in his message, the Pope reflected on the storm which has currently affecting the whole world, calling us to take fresh heart from the time of tempest. We can trust in God’s care. He said:

‘This Lent your call reverberates urgently: “Be converted!”, “Return to me with all your heart” (Joel 2:12). You are calling on us to seize this time of trial as a time of choosing. It is not the time of your judgement, but of our judgement: a time to choose what matters and what passes away, a time to separate what is necessary from what is not…’ Read full text