A joint initiative of the Office of Papal Charities and the Missionary Centre of the Chinese Church in Italy have sent 600,000 masks to Wuhan (Hubei), the epicentre of the epidemic, also to Zhejiand and Fujian provinces, where the coronavirus appears to affect most in China.

The fast-spreading illness has officially spread to over 20 countries around the world, including two confirmed cases in the UK. Death toll has risen to 425 people in China with more than 20,000 confirmed cases, leading the World Health Organisation (WHO) to declare a global epidemic.

The Vatican pharmacy and Chinese Christian communities in Italy have collected four batches of medical masks, with each parcel containing the coat of arms of Pope Francis inside. 

Pope Francis previously prayed for the victims and the people affected by the disease at a papal audience in St Peter's Square.

"May the Lord welcome the deceased in his peace, comfort families and support the great commitment already put in place by the Chinese community to combat the epidemic," he said.