• Home »
  • Faith »
  • Vatican »
  • Vatican donates masks to China to combat coronavirus outbreak
hand and heart

The recent post office troubles have impacted our regular fundraising efforts. Please consider supporting the Register and Catholic journalism by using one of the methods below:

  • Donate online
  • Donate by e-transfer to accounting@catholicregister.org
  • Donate by telephone: 416-934-3410 ext. 406 or toll-free 1-855-441-4077 ext. 406
A man in Jiujiang, China, wears a face mask Feb. 3, 2020, as the country is hit by the coronavirus. The Vatican press office confirmed a report that appeared in the Chinese newspaper The Global Times, which said that since Jan. 27, the Vatican has sent 600,000-700,000 protective masks to China.
A man in Jiujiang, China, wears a face mask Feb. 3, 2020, as the country is hit by the coronavirus. The Vatican press office confirmed a report that appeared in the Chinese newspaper The Global Times, which said that since Jan. 27, the Vatican has sent 600,000-700,000 protective masks to China. CNS photo/Thomas Peter, Reuters

Vatican donates masks to China to combat coronavirus outbreak

By  Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News Service
  • February 3, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- The Vatican donated thousands of protective masks to several Chinese provinces affected by the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus.

In an email to Catholic News Service Feb. 3, the Vatican press office confirmed a report that appeared in the Chinese newspaper The Global Times, which said that since Jan. 27, the Vatican has sent 600,000-700,000 protective masks to China.

"The masks are destined to the provinces of Hubei, Zhejiang and Fujian," the press office told CNS. "It is a joint initiative of the Office of Papal Charities and the Chinese Church in Italy, in collaboration with the Vatican pharmacy."

According to the Global Times report, Chinese Father Vincenzo Han Duo, vice rector of Rome's Pontifical Urbanian College, said the donation was made possible with the help of Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, the papal almoner.

The masks were paid for by the Vatican and Chinese Christian communities in Italy, while airline companies, including China Southern Airlines, provided free shipment, the report said.

"I hope the supplies could reach where they are needed as soon as possible, so that people who are suffering the disease could feel the concern from the Holy See. The whole world is standing together to fight the virus," Father Han told The Global Times.

During his Sunday Angelus address Jan. 26, Pope Francis expressed condolences to the victims of the virus and his support for efforts to fight its spread.

"I wish to be close to and pray for the people who are sick because of the virus that has spread through China," the pope said. "May the Lord welcome the dead into his peace, comfort families and sustain the great commitment by the Chinese community that has already been put in place to combat the epidemic."

Tagged under:

Related items

More in this category: « Parties working to get U.S., Russia to discuss nuclear arms reduction Pope Francis defrocks Argentine founder of religious institute »

Please support The Catholic Register

Unlike many media companies, The Catholic Register has never charged readers for access to the news and information on our website. We want to keep our award-winning journalism as widely available as possible. But we need your help.

For more than 125 years, The Register has been a trusted source of faith-based journalism. By making even a small donation you help ensure our future as an important voice in the Catholic Church. If you support the mission of Catholic journalism, please donate today. Thank you.

DONATE