"My friends, we cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism and exclusion in any form and yet claim to defend the sacredness of every human life," Francis said.
“The disease shows us that it respects no borders and that no-one is immune," Rivlin told the Pope.
The funds will be distributed via the Pontifical Missions Societies, which supports the work of more than 1,100 dioceses mostly in Africa, Asia Oceania and part of the Amazon region.
"Stop every form of hostility and to favor the creation of corridors for humanitarian help diplomatic efforts and attention to those who find themselves in situations of great vulnerability."
From his frequent denunciations of antisemitism to his close friendship with an Argentine rabbi, Pope Francis has long been a friend of the Jews.
The participation of the faithful at the pope's morning Mass in his residence has been suspended until March 15.
The death toll in Italy jumped to 52 on Monday from 34 the day before and the total number of confirmed cases in Europe's worst affected country climbed past the 2,000 mark.
A number of people wore masks in St. Peter’s Square at the Wednesday audience but only one person was seen wearing one at the pope's Ash Wednesday service.
The Vatican will on March 2 open up its archives on the wartime pontificate of Pius XII to allow scholars to probe accusations that he turned a blind eye to the Holocaust
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