Pope Francis invited Christians around the world to join him Wednesday in the Lord’s Prayer for all those suffering from the coronavirus pandemic.

The invitation to prayer was livestreamed at noon Rome time from the Library of the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican.

“As trustful children, we turn to the Father,” the pope said, according to Vatican News. “We do it every day, several times a day; but right now we wish to beg mercy for mankind, so sorely tried by the coronavirus pandemic. And we do this together, Christians of every church and community, of every age, language and nation.”

“We pray for the sick and their families,” he said, “for health workers and those who help them; for the authorities, law enforcement agencies and volunteers; for the ministers of our communities.”

For Catholics, Wednesday is also the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary — which commemorates the visit of the Archangel Gabriel to Mary, when he informed her that she would be the mother of Jesus Christ.

During this time, the pope urged Christians to, like Mary, “entrust ourselves, with full confidence, to the hands of God.”

On Friday, Pope Francis will deliver an extraordinary “Urbi et Orbi” (“to the city and the world”) blessing — normally given only at Christmas and Easter — calling for worldwide prayer in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

It will take place on the sagrato of St. Peter’s Basilica, the platform at the top of the steps immediately in front of the church’s façade, according to Vatican News.

“I invite everyone to participate spiritually through the means of communication,” he said Sunday.

With Post wires