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VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has started an emergency fund to help areas affected by the coronavirus in developing countries, the Vatican said on Monday.

It said in a statement that the pope had designated $750,000 of funds at his disposal as an initial contribution. He has asked Church entities and dioceses to contribute as they can.

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The funds will be distributed via the Pontifical Missions Societies, which supports the work of more than 1,100 dioceses mostly in Africa, Asia Oceania and part of the Amazon region.

Last month, Francis donated 30 ventilators to Italian hospitals in areas hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic. (Reporting By Philip Pullella; Editing by Hugh Lawson)