VATICAN (CNS): Twenty-six weeks after his last weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis will resume his audiences with the public present, but in the large San Damaso courtyard of the Apostolic Palace.
The Prefecture of the Pontifical Household said on August 26 that members of the faithful could attend the Wednesday audience talks starting September 2.
Norms for curbing the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) will be followed, the prefecture said in a written communiqué, and for the month of September.
Attendance “will be open to anyone who wishes” to participate, and no tickets are needed, it said.
Since March 11, Pope Francis had been livestreaming his general audience talks from the library of the Apostolic Palace. Aides were present to read the Scriptures and summaries of his talk in a variety of languages, but no visitors or pilgrims could attend.
The last time the audience was held with the public present was February 26, Ash Wednesday, in St. Peter’s Square. The weekly appointment had not been scheduled on March 4 because it fell within the time scheduled for the pope’s annual Lenten retreat, which Pope Francis did not attend because he had a cold.
