Rome, Italy, Mar 12, 2020 / 12:15 pm
The vicar general of Rome, Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, announced Thursday the closure of all churches in the diocese through April 3.
Since March 9 public Masses have been canceled throughout the diocese, but churches had remained open for personal prayer, and some had held Eucharistic adoration or confession.
Starting from the decree's publication March 12, entrance to the parish and other churches of Rome is forbidden to the general public and to lay Catholics.
Cardinal De Donatis said "we remember that this arrangement is for the common good. We welcome the Words of Jesus that tells us 'where two or three are gathered in my name, I am in the midst of them.'"