Pope Francis called the coronavirus outbreak "an epochal challenge" that will affect the future of the EU in his annual Easter speech Sunday.

"Today, the EU finds itself faced with an epochal challenge, on which not only its future but also that of the entire world will depend. Let us not miss the opportunity to demonstrate, once again, solidarity, even by resorting to innovative solutions," he said, according to Spanish news agency EFE.


Pope Francis preached to a nearly empty St. Peter’s Basilica — a stark difference from the estimated 70,000 who crammed into St. Peter’s Square last year.