The head of the Catholic Church, Francis, announces mass absolution in connection with the global epidemic of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. This is stated in an official decree authorized by the Pope and published on the Vatican website.

The Pontiff announced the coming year - until December 8, 2021 - the year of St. Joseph, the husband of the Mother of God, exactly 150 years ago, declared the patron saint of the Catholic Church.. According to him, this is especially true during the months of the pandemic, since many people sacrificed much during the crisis to protect their neighbors, and their victims seemed to go unnoticed..

“Saint Joseph reminds us that those who appear hidden in the shadows can play an incomparably great role in the history of salvation,” he stressed and stated that those Catholics who will earnestly repent and pray this year will be granted complete indulgence by the church (.

According to Francis, under the conditions of coronavirus restrictions, indulgence is necessary - especially for the elderly, sick and dying believers, as well as everyone else who cannot get to the priest for the usual absolution of sins..