The ceremony was marked by the coronavirus pandemic with two of the cardinals staying at home while the rest eschewed the usual celebrations

The cardinal candidates were required to undergo 10 days of Vatican-mandated quarantine at the pope’s hotel

Pope Francis is preparing to formally elevate 13 new cardinals, including the first African American to receive the rank, in a ceremony marked in every way by the coronavirus pandemic: Two of the cardinals stayed home, the rest eschewed the usual celebrations and St. Peter’s Basilica was practically empty for Saturday’s service.