Life in the "new normal" is anything but. The eerie, dream-like sight of masked loners drifting desultorily through desolate cities is quickly becoming familiar. While the restrictions enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic have been hard on everyone, the changes are especially difficult for children to understand. In most modern years, teachers would now be struggling to maintain the focus of kids who can't wait to spend the summer hanging out with friends, congregating at the mall, possibly going to camp. The struggle now becomes for beleaguered parents, who have been home-schooling their children for months and would love nothing more than to kick them out of the house and change the locks, to explain that these traditional aestival festivals are simply not possible this year. While everyone struggles to adapt to the new reality, Italy was particularly hard hit in the early days of the outbreak. Schools closed in March, and summer activities are scarce. Now, the Vatican City is offering a lucky group of kids a break from the doldrums of house arrest. Recognizing that its employees' children may not be able to enjoy many traditional summer activities due to the pandemic, the Holy See saw a chance to help. According to The Vatican News, Pope Francis “thought about the mothers who work, about the families of Holy See employees." Then came the divine inspiration. This July, the Vatican will be overrun with 100 frolicsome children indulging in all manner of fun and games. Immediately upon entering the Vatican auditorium, children will be greeted by a passel of ping-pong tables. While the pontiff himself, Pope Francis (pictured), has not personally committed to playing, one never knows where the genial Argentinian may pop up next. If, for some unfathomable reason, children are compelled to wander on from the ping-pong party, they will find no shortage of alternative diversions. There is tennis of more traditional dimensions, not to mention a pool in the Vatican gardens and even group games on the helipad. Of course, the health and safety of the children remains paramount. Strict hygiene and social distancing protocols will be enforced. Although the lucky children will still pine for social gatherings and trips to Disneyland Paris, at least they will get a chance to play ping-pong in the Vatican. Who knows? Pope Francis himself might even bless them with a game.

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