Pope Francis removes his mask, touches worshipers, defeats COVID-19 with love (photos)

While relating with his congregants comprising of both young and old, at a ‘limited’ public audience at the Vatican today, 83 year old Pope Francis removed his mask and reached out to touch them.

DailyMail reports that Pope Francis who resumed his Wednesday General Audience’s last week, told the packed San Damaso courtyard that the coronavirus would be defeated by God’s love.

The pontiff removed his mask when he stepped out of his car, he smiled and chatted, shook hands and touched the foreheads of congregants who scrummed at the barriers. 

‘The Christian response to the pandemic and to the consequent socio-economic crisis is based on love,’ Francis told the masses as he reflected on ‘Healing the World’ in his sermon. 

The Pope said we could emerge from the coronavirus improved by it ‘if we all seek the common good together.’

‘A virus that does not recognise barriers, borders, or cultural or political distinctions must be faced with a love without barriers, borders or distinction,’ the Pope said.

With God’s help, Francis told his flock, ‘we can heal the world,’ if we all strive alongside each other ‘for the common good.’

‘Thus, through our gestures, even the most humble ones, something of the image of God that we bear with us will be made visible, because God is the Trinity of Love.’ The Pope said.