Seated and wearing a mask, Cardinal John Tong Hon suspended Masses in Hong Kong until Feb. 28. He asked Catholics to follow them online, including Ash Wednesday.
Pope Francis greeted many of the pilgrims gathered in Paul VI Audience Hall. He showed particular affection to this baby in pink.
The pope also asked Christians to remember the Holocaust and never let it happen again.
They are using YouTube Live or uploading videos on the university's website.
The Vatican has seven universities in Rome and dozens of academic training institutes. This week, due to the coronavirus, their classrooms have closed and thousands of students are at home.