James O'Reilly
The eyes of the world continue to watch how the hantavirus crisis will unfold. The virus is a potentially deadly disease that rodents can transmit to humans.
News of the disease broke after several deaths and infections aboard a luxury cruise ship, the MV Hondius. There were three initial fatalities and other affected passengers.
World leaders, including Pope Leo XIV, are following the crisis. The pope thanked the Canary Islands for welcoming the hantavirus vessel.
POPE LEO XIV
I would like to thank the people of the Canary Islands for the hospitality that characterizes them in allowing the arrival of the cruise ship Hondius with hantavirus patients on board. I am happy that I will be able to meet with you next month during my visit to the islands.
At the time of these words, no further positive cases had yet been confirmed among those quarantined aboard the Hondius—but hours later, as passengers disembarked in the Canary Islands and were returning home, France and the United States began to confirm new cases in their countries.
During his Sunday address for Mother's Day, in which he encouraged us to follow Mary's example, the pope also expressed concern about the rise in violence in Chad and Mali, countries struck by recent terrorist attacks.
