Pope Francis said in his Christmas Day message that coronavirus vaccines should be made available to everyone free of charge and countries should work together to recover from the pandemic’s effects.
The state of affairs: Due to Italy’s restrictions on the spread of COVID-19, the Catholic Church Leader delivered the traditional Urbi et Orbi (to the city and the world) speech from the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican, rather than from a balcony with a view on St. Peter’s Square. for a usually large crowd.
- “At this point in history, marked by the ecological crisis and severe economic and social imbalances that have only been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, it is all the more important for us to recognize each other as siblings,” Francis said, according to the AP. .
What he says: “Today, at this time of darkness and uncertainty during the pandemic, several lights of hope are appearing, such as the discovery of the vaccines … they must be available to everyone,” the Pope said, according to CNN.
- “I implore everyone in charge of states, companies, international bodies … to promote cooperation and no competition and seek a solution for all, vaccines for all, especially for the most vulnerable and needy in all regions of the world . “
- The Pope called for generosity and support for people facing hardships during the pandemic, including unemployment and domestic violence.