(ANS - RMG) - This year the traditional novena of Mary Help of Christians, from 15 to 23 May, takes on a very special meaning given the health emergency provoked by the spread of the Coronavirus, which for some months has been scourging all humanity.

(ANS - Abiyán) - Like many countries in this African region, the Ivory Coast is beginning to be seriously affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. At the moment, in fact, the cases of infection and death are still quite contained, but the prospects are not good and experts believe the virus may spread rapidly in forthcoming months.

(ANS - Rome) - As part of the session of the General Council, the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, with his Council's consensus, appointed the new Superiors of the Province of Piła (PLN) and of the Vice Province of Africa Tropical Equatorial (ATE). They are, respectively, Fr Tadeusz Itrych and Fr Roland Mintsa.

(ANS - Rome) - On 8 May 2020, the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, and the Councilors concluded the General Council's work sessions with a group of Councilors physically present in the Rome office and others present online from Vietnam, Mexico, Brazil and Spain. "At the beginning of the sessions of the First General Council of the year 2020 with the new Councilors, we held ordinary administration meetings," said the Rector Major. "Firstly, we completed ongoing formation under the guidance of Fr Stefano Vanoli, Secretary, and Fr Pier Fausto Frisoli on juridical questions and on the Vademecum of the General Council."

(ANS - Rome) During the Good Night on Friday 8 May at the end of the General Council session, the Rector Major, Fr Angel Fernandez Artime, announced the appointment of Fr Joan Lluís Playà as the New World Delegate for the Salesian Family.