The Plague-Era Origin of 'God Bless You' After a Sneeze

• The custom of saying "God Bless You" after a sneeze has historical and cultural origins, often linked to protection against diseases.
• One belief was that sneezing could lead to a heart attack, prompting the blessing.
• The practice gained prominence in Rome during the bubonic plague, where sneezing was a symptom.
• Pope Gregory I is credited with popularizing the phrase by saying it to plague victims.
• Other beliefs include saving the sneezer from death or expelling evil spirits.

Why It Matters: It clarifies the historical reasons for saying "God Bless You" after sneezing.