Pope Francis said in his Christmas Day message that coronavirus vaccines should be made available to everyone at no charge and that nations should work together while recovering from the effects of the pandemic.
The state of play: Due to Italy’s restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19, the leader of the Catholic Church delivered the traditional Urbi et Orbi speech (in the city and in the world) from the Vatican Apostolic Palace, instead of ‘a balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square. to a generally large crowd.
- “At this time in history, marked by the ecological crisis and the severe economic and social imbalances that have only been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, it is even more important for us to recognize each other as brothers and sisters,” he said. Francis, according to the AP.
What it says: “Today, in this time of darkness and uncertainty during the pandemic, different lights of hope appear, such as the discovery of vaccines … they must be available to everyone,” the pope said, according to CNN.
- “I beg all those responsible for states, companies, international organizations … to promote cooperation and not competition and to seek a solution for all, vaccines for all, especially for the most vulnerable and needy of all the regions of the world. “
- The pope called for generosity and support for people suffering difficulties during the pandemic, including unemployment and domestic violence.