The President of the Italian Bishops is very ill with COVID-19, and Pope Francis last night called to see how Cardinal Bassetti is doing.
The Holy Father called Msgr. Marco Salvi, auxiliary bishop of Perugia-Città della Pieve, currently in quarantine because of being COVID-19 positive, but asymptomatic, to learn more about the current condition of the Cardinal.
The Italian Episcopal Conference’s Social Communications office issued a Nov. 9, 2020, update on the Cardinal, whose condition this week has become increasingly serious.
“In the last hours, the clinical picture of Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti, Archbishop of Perugia-Citta della Pieve, and President of the Italian Episcopal Conference, (CEI), — hospitalized on November 3 in Intensive Therapy 2 at the “Saint Mary of Mercy” Hospital Center –, has suffered a sudden worsening,” it stated.
Further diagnoses are underway and the appropriate care, it ensured, is being given.
“We accompany the Cardinal President with affection and closeness,” it underscored, urging: “We ask our Churches to pray in this moment of trial.”
“We are certain,” concluded Monsignor Stefano Russo, Secretary General of CEI, “that the Lord will not be lacking in mercy and consolation for the Cardinal and for all those harshly tried by the sickness. We also remember the doctors, the health agents and all those taking care of the suffering. We ask all to share these intention in their moments of daily prayer.”
