Search Results

  • Section

  • Sort By

  • Reset

The 39th annual Alexandria St. Patrick’s Day Parade presented by the Ballyshaners, a nonprofit organization that aims to promote and preserve Irish heritage, was held March 7 along King Street in Old Town Alexandria. According to visitalexandriava.com, the parade featured more than 2,000 participants marching, including the Notre Dame Alumni Band, dog rescue groups, pipe and drum bands, historical re-enactors, local businesses and Irish dancers. 

Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, papal vicar of Rome, said he spoke to Pope Francis March 12 before ordering the closure of all churches in Rome because of the coronavirus pandemic; the next day, he said he spoke to the pope again and modified his order.

Pope Francis urged people to pray for parish priests so that they may find ways to accompany their people while the coronavirus pandemic continues to restrict movement around the country and the world.

The Italian government has declared the entire country a "red zone" for the coronavirus epidemic, asking everyone to stay home. But people may leave their homes to buy groceries, go to the pharmacy and go to work "if necessary." What is "necessary" was not strictly defined, so the six members of the Catholic News Service Rome Bureau just tried to be smart, safe and socially responsible.

Popular

Popular