THE VATICAN, Italy (The Adobo Chronicles, Rome Bureau) – It is no secret that Italy has been among the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, and even The Vatican has all but shut down in adherence to social distancing.

Today is Palm Sunday where the gospel reading talks about Pontius Pilate washing his hands as he committed Jesus to the people’s demand for the Christ’s  cruxifixion.

On the eve of the start of Holy Week, Pope Francis addressed all of Christendom, seated in the middle of an empty St. Peter’s Square, to announce that the church is naming Pontius Pilate the patron saint of all who are affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Francis urged all Catholics to emulate Pilate by washing their hands.