In Photos: World Celebrates Easter Remotely, In The Shadow Of Coronavirus

Topline: Even as the pandemic keeps masses of worshippers out of churches, Easter celebrations continue around the world in parking lots, living rooms and hospitals.

• While Easter mass at the Vatican normally draws a crowd of tens of thousands in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis delivered his blessing with only a handful of clergy members present.
• His address urged solidarity for Europe in particular as it faces an “epochal challenge, on which will depend not only its future but that of the whole world.”
• In Italy, hospitals received donations of chocolate eggs and other Easter treats for medical staff and patients.
• Religious leaders from Kenya to California held services to limited groups as governments impose limits on mass gatherings, with many live streaming their sermons to believers stuck at home.
• Drive-in services are also widespread this year, as worshipers gather in their parked cars.
• Despite orders by governments to limit Easter gatherings, some churches are planning to forge ahead as usual, despite the health risks.
• Passover, which started Wednesday night and lasts until Thursday, is also being observed under difficult conditions; the normally-packed Western Wall in Jerusalem now only accommodates a handful of worshippers at a time.

Vatican City

Italy

India

Spain

United States

South Korea

United Kingdom

Kenya

Israel

Germany

Brazil

Australia

Uganda

What to watch for: Opera star Andrea Bocelli is livestreaming a concert from the Duomo in Milan. “It will not be an actual concert, but an occasion to pray together through music,” he said.