Jan 26, 2020 - World

Pope Francis praises China's "commitment" on coronavirus

Jacob Knutson

Pope Francis during the weekly Angelus prayer — Pope Francis, Jan. 26. Photo: Vincenzo Pinto/AFP via Getty Images

Pope Francis on Sunday prayed for those killed or infected by the coronavirus outbreak in China and praised the Chinese government’s “great commitment” to contain the virus, Reuters reports.

Why it matters: The new coronavirus strain, which originated in Wuhan, China, has killed 56 people and infected nearly 1,975.

What he's saying: “I would like also to be close to and pray for the people who are sick because of the virus that has spread through China," Francis said, according to Reuters.

“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."

Go deeper: WHO: The coronavirus outbreak is not yet a global emergency

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Pope Francis praises China's "commitment" on coronavirus

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