Pope Francis, holed up in the Vatican by Italy's coronavirus epidemic, held his first virtual general audience, thanking medical staff but urging the world not to forget the plight of Syrian refugees, Reuters reported.

Francis and ten priests, some of whom translate his words into other languages — all sitting in a horseshoe pattern of chairs with space between them — gathered in the official papal library for an audience that was streamed on the internet and broadcast live on television.

This photo taken on March 11, shows Pope Francis, flanked by Monsignor Leonardo Sapienza (L) and Monsignor Luis Maria Rodrigo Ewart, holding a private and restricted weekly general audience in the library of the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. — AFP
This photo taken on March 11, shows Pope Francis, flanked by Monsignor Leonardo Sapienza (L) and Monsignor Luis Maria Rodrigo Ewart, holding a private and restricted weekly general audience in the library of the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. — AFP

Read more here.

Opinion

Editorial

A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...
GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...