Pope Francis keeps his distance at audience over COVID concerns

Pope Francis holds the weekly general audience at Aula Paolo VI, at the Vatican, October 14, 2020. REUTERS/Yara Nardi

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis stayed a safe distance from well-wishers at his weekly general audience on Wednesday, saying new rules aimed at curbing the coronavirus meant he had to hold back.

"I would like to, as I usually do, go down and get closer to greet you. But with the new regulations, it is better if we keep a distance," Francis said from a stage.