Pope to deliver special blessing at empty St. Peter's Square to stop COVID-19 pandemic; ABC 7 to broadcast Roman Catholic Mass Sunday

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Pope Francis is calling for world prayer to stop the COVID-19 pandemic.

He plans to deliver a special blessing from an empty St. Peter's Square Friday.

Normally, the Pope only delivers these special blessings twice a year on Christmas and Easter.

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This Sunday ABC 7 will broadcast a Roman Catholic Mass celebrated by Cardinal Blase Cupich at Holy Name Cathedral.

You can watch on air or online at 9:30 a.m.

The Archdiocese of Chicago is also broadcasting Mass in English, Spanish and Polish on the archdiocese's YouTube channel Sunday's while churches are closed amid the coronavirus crisis.

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Chicago churches are also hoping to unite residents with the sound of church bells ringing. Cardinal Blase Cupich has asked Catholic parishes to ring their church bells five times a day.