Pope Francis cancels Mass over ‘slight’ illness amid Italy coronavirus outbreak

Pope Francis was seen coughing and blowing his nose while celebrating the Ash Wednesday Mass on February 26, 2020, the day before he cancelled a planned Mass with clergy. Vatican officials said Francis had a “slight indisposition”. His illness came amid global fears about the coronavirus epidemic. Italy has seen the highest number of Covid-19 deaths outside Asia, with 650 infections and 17 deaths confirmed as of February 28.