The Vatican has said it was "necessary and urgent" to return to in-person masses as soon as anti-coronavirus measures permit.

The head of the Vatican's liturgy office, Cardinal Robert Sarah, said in a letter to bishops conferences that virtual liturgies, while useful, were no replacement for the real thing.

He said physical presence by the faithful in churches was "vital, indispensable, irreplaceable".

While some Catholic priests claimed coronavirus lockdowns that shuttered churches infringed on religious liberties, Pope Francis has adhered to Italy's strict lockdown.

He halted all public masses at the Vatican, livestreamed his morning liturgies during the peak of Italy's outbreak, and at one point even admonished priests who baulked at the measures for their "adolescent resistance".

The Vatican said on Saturday that Francis had approved the cardinal's letter to bishops' conferences, which makes clear that government authorities cannot dictate liturgical practices.

Francis had urged the Catholic faithful to obey anti-Covid measures, saying government authorities were responsible for public health.

He was seen this week wearing a face mask for the first time, and has been using hand sanitiser.

In recent weeks Francis has resumed public gatherings and has celebrated a handful of public masses before limited, socially distanced groups.