The papal almsgiver breaks the decree, opens the church of Rome for prayer and adoration

Just one day after Cardinal Angelo De Donatis announced the unprecedented decision to close all the churches of the diocese of Rome to stop the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19, the papal admonitory cardinal Konrad Krajewski did the opposite: the Polish cardinal opened its titular church, Santa Maria Immacolata in the Esquilino district of Rome.

"It is the act of disobedience, yes, I myself have put out of the Blessed Sacrament and opened my church," Krajewski said to Crux.

"It didn't happen under fascism, it didn't happen under Russian or Soviet rule in Poland - the churches weren't closed," he added, adding that "this is an act that should bring courage to other priests."

"The house should always be open to his children," he told Crux in an emotional conversation.

"I don't know if people will come or not, how many of them, but their home is open," he said.

On Thursday, De Donatis - the cardinal vicar of Rome - announced that all the churches would be closed until April 3, also for private prayer. Public celebrations of Mass and other liturgies had already been banned throughout Italy, on Friday morning Pope Francis said during his morning Mass that "drastic measures are not always good" and prayed that pastors find ways not to leave the People of God alone.

Krajewski has taken this message to heart.

Being the pope's right hand to help the poor of Rome, the cardinal did not stop his charity meals. Usually distributed in the railway stations of Termini and Tiburtina by dozens of volunteers, the tradition had only changed, not suspended. Volunteers now distribute "Heartbags" instead, handing out dinners to take home, instead of sharing a meal at the table.

“I work according to the Gospel; this is my law, "Krajewski told Crux, also mentioning the frequent police checks he experiences while driving and walking around the city to help the needy.

"This help is evangelical and will be realized," he said.

"All the places where homeless people can stay at night are full," said Papal Almoner in Crux, including Palazzo Best, which was opened by the cardinal in November and is located near the Bernini colonnade of San Pietro.

When the outbreak of the coronavirus was beginning in Italy, Krajewski said that the culture of life is now part of the national conversation.

"People don't talk about abortion or euthanasia, because everyone talks for life," he said, speaking when St. Peter's Basilica was still open to the public. "We are looking for vaccines, we are taking precautions to ensure that we can save lives."

"Today everyone chooses life, starting with the media," said Krajewski. “God loves life. He does not want the sinner's death; he wants the sinner to convert. "

Speaking on Friday, Krajewski said that his titular church will be open all day for the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and will be open regularly for private prayer starting on Saturday.