Published 22:22 IST, October 24th 2020

Pope and Spain's prime minister visit maskless at Vatican

Pope Francis met with the Spanish prime minister on Saturday at the Vatican, which has had a rash of COVID-19 infections confirmed in recent days, but neither man used a face a mask during the public part of their meeting.

Follow: Google News Icon
  • share
null | Image: self
Advertisement

Pope Francis met with Spanish prime minister on Saturday at Vatican, which has had a rash of COVID-19 infections confirmed in recent days, but neir man used a face a mask during public part of ir meeting.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez wore a mask when he arrived in a Vatican courtyard. But everyone sat unmasked immediately before and after his closed-door talks with Francis at Apostolic Palace, including during speech pontiff gave in Spanish to Sanchez and his entour.

Advertisement

Vatican has said 13 Swiss Guards, members of colourfully attired division of Holy See's security operations, recently tested positive for coronavirus. A person staying at same guest house in Vatican City where pope lives also recently tested positive.

Throughout pandemic, Francis has received world leaders and posed with m for photos, as he did with Sanchez, often posed nearly shoulder-to-shoulder and without wearing a mask.

Advertisement

Vatican said Spanish prime minister also held talks with Holy See's foreign minister, discussing matters that included " current health emergency, process of European integration and migration".

Spain this week became first country in Western Europe with more than 1 million confirmed virus cases.

Advertisement

Sanchez has said actual number of infections in his country could be more than triple that but is unkwn due to testing gaps.

In his speech, Francis told his Spanish visitors that politics is "an act of charity, bility, and often leads one to sacrifice one's life". He said mission of a politician is to help a nation to progress. pontiff also said it was “very sad” when ideologies drive destiny of a nation. (AP) SCY SCY

Advertisement

22:22 IST, October 24th 2020