The President of the Italian Bishops’ Conference has been admitted to intensive care with coronavirus. Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti, Archbishop of Perugia-Città della Pieve, was transferred to the intensive care unit at the “Santa Maria della Misericordia” hospital in Perugia overnight, ACI Stampa reports. The 78-year-old cardinal is reportedly “alert and collaborating” with doctors. The Permanent Episcopal Council will meet by videoconference for an extraordinary session on Tuesday. The bishops thanked the doctors treating the cardinal and all health workers caring for the suffering. The cardinal has been in hospital since Saturday after testing positive for Covid-19 last week. After Bessetti’s hospital admission, Bishop Stefano Russo, secretary general of the bishops' conference, said: “We continue to be close to the Cardinal President. We accompany him with the prayers and affection of the People of God, certain that the Lord will not leave him without his consolation and support in this trial.”