Author: GIOVANNA DELL’ORTO Associated Press, ABC News
Published on: 15/03/2025 | 06:04:22
AI Summary:
The nuns who operate the Vatican’s switchboard are fielding a growing number of calls with questions like that as the pope remains hospitalized in Rome. Sister Anthony, who runs the operation in a spartan office steps away from St. Peter’s. Basilica, makes sure all who call it get a real person, not the “press 1 for English, 2 for Latin” version of the automation that’s become the norm at major institutions and businesses worldwide. Sister Gabriella took a call from a priest inquiring about jointly celebrating a Mass with other priests as part of his jubilee pilgrimage. Since 2025 is a Holy Year for the Catholic Church, related calls make up a large part of the 50-70 queries the nuns answer daily. But then there are callers with questions the sisters can’t just look up or patch through — those in distress or angry or hopeless. Sister Anthony came to the Vatican a year ago from her native Philippines, where she was a provincial superior. Across the spectrum of callers, the sisters say they’re particularly happy to provide a woman’s touch. About 1,100 women, religious and lay, work at the Vatican.
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