Pope Francis during mass this morning prayed for Catholic priests to “have the courage” to visit people suffering from coronavirus.

The widespread of coronavirus has seen Italy restrict movement in the country most especially across the northern parts.

According to several sources, St Peter’s Square which is located in the Vatican in the centre of the Italian capital Rome was almost empty.

The pope who celebrated mass by himself prayed that clergymen would ‘have the courage to go out and go to the sick people’.

“Let us pray to the Lord also for our priests, that they may have the courage to go out and visit the sick… and to accompany the medical staff and volunteers in the work they do,” the pontiff said during a mass in Vatican City.

The service was live-streamed by the Vatican today.