Cardinal Wilton Gregory responds to Jake Tapper’s invitation during special marking 500,000th death.
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As America marked the sad milestone of surpassing 500,000 deaths from the coronavirus, Washington Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory offered a moving prayer on CNN.
CNN anchor Jake Tapper was interviewing Cardinal Gregory about the Church’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic during a February 22 special memorializing those who have died. Tapper then asked Gregory if he would like to offer a prayer.
“Jake, that would be my great honor and privilege,” the cardinal responded.
“Let us now open our hearts to recall those who have died from the coronavirus,” Gregory began. “We humbly ask the Creator of all to grant eternal peace to our sisters and brothers lost to this disease. Strengthen those families and friends who remain behind, to comfort one another and to wipe the tears from our eyes. May each one find peace and let the memory of our loved ones itself be a blessing.
“Our hearts are filled with gratitude for our doctors, nurses and emergency personnel. May they remain well and be strengthened,” the cardinal continued on the program, “We Remember 500,000: A National Memorial Service for Covid-19.”
The cardinal prayed that all who wish to be vaccinated against the virus will be able to obtain the drugs, regardless of race, age, religious heritage, economic or immigration status.
“May the one who fashioned us help us to focus on our mutual humanity,” Cardinal Gregory prayed. “Although weary from so many months of isolation, help us not to lose hope, help us to continue to care for our neighbors as we remember those we have lost in this pandemic.
“Assist us in replenishing our compassion under the guidance of the One who is the ultimate source of our peace and our unity,” the cardinal concluded.
An honor to have Archbishop Wilton Gregory on our memorial show last night to remember and honor the 500,000 we’ve lost to COVID in the US https://t.co/H6FO1heOIf
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) February 23, 2021
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