Vatican City, Mar 16, 2020 / 07:05 am
A French bishop who visited the Vatican last week has tested positive for coronavirus, his diocese announced Monday.
Bishop Emmanuel Delmas of Angers tested positive for COVID-19 on the evening of March 15. The Diocese of Angers said in a statement March 16 that the bishop first experienced symptoms during his time in Rome.
Delmas was part of a delegation of 31 French bishops who met with Pope Francis during their ad limina visit on March 9. Vatican media shared photos of the bishops sitting one meter apart with a significant distance from the pope.
The pope's audience with the French bishops lasted two and a half hours, according to a statement by the French bishops' conference.