Pope Francis sends a message to Argentine priests with coronavirus disease

On Thursday, the Curas Villeros in Argentina published a short video of Pope Francis, who had recorded a personal message that guaranteed their prayers to three priests of the movement who are currently infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus.

A group of almost 40 priests who live and work in the slums of Buenos Aires, the Curas have been close to Pope Francis since his time as archbishop of Buenos Aires and devote themselves to social work through devotion to popular piety, taking care in a specific way of the poor and migrants in the slums where they live.

In his message, published on the Curas Villeros Twitter page, the pope said he was close to them "at this time when we are fighting with prayer and the doctors are helping".

He particularly mentioned Father Basil "Bachi" Britez, known for his social and pastoral work in the poor neighborhood of Almaguerte in San Justo, which was once called Villa Palito.

According to the Argentine agency El 1 Digital, Bachi is currently receiving plasma treatment from a patient recovered while fighting the virus.

“Now he is fighting. He is fighting, because it is not going well, "said Francis, saying to the community," I am close to you, that I pray for you, that I am accompanying you right now. The whole people of God, together with the priests who are sick ".

"It's a time to thank God for your priest's testimony, to ask for his health and to move forward," he said, adding, "Don't forget to pray for me."

In addition to their commitment to the poor, the Curas are also self-proclaimed continuers of the work of Father Carlos Mugica, a controversial priest and activist who has dedicated his life to working with the poor and social activism. It often hosted conferences and events on social issues, including a 1965 symposium on "Dialogue between Catholicism and Marxist". He was sometimes at odds with his local bishop, including threats of rebellion, before he was assassinated on 11 May 1974 by a member of the Argentine anti-communist alliance.

Francesco defended Mugica and his associates during a 2014 interview with an Argentine radio station.

“They were not communists. They were great priests who fought for life, "said the pope at the station.

"The work of priests in the slums of Buenos Aires is not ideological, it is apostolic and therefore belongs to the same church," he continued. “Those who think it's another church don't understand how they work in the slums. The important thing is work. "