Clergyman living near pope has coronavirus: Report

By Busra Nur Bilgic Cakmak

ANKARA (AA) – A clergyman who lives in the same residence as Pope Francis has tested positive for coronavirus, local media reported Thursday.

The man has been living for years in the Santa Marta guest house, adjacent to St. Peter’s in Vatican City, situated inside Rome, where Pope Francis has lived since he took office in 2013, said Italian daily Il Messaggero.

According to Il Messaggero, the place has undergone a thorough disinfection.

Vatican spokespersons have yet to confirm the case.

After first appearing in Wuhan, China, last December, the novel coronavirus has spread to at least 175 countries and territories, according to data compiled by the U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.

The data shows more than 474,000 cases have been reported worldwide since last December, with the death toll above 21,000 and nearly 116,000 successful recoveries.

The World Health Organization (WHO) this month declared Europe the new epicenter of the virus, and Italy now has more deaths than China.