Pope Francis
Pope FrancisPope makes an appearance after missing New Year’s Mass due to pain Pope Francis of skipping New Year’s Mass due to sciatica condemned people who traveled abroad on holiday to avoid coronavirus restrictions in their home countries during their Sunday prayer.
The pope said he was “sad” after hearing news that people were flying abroad to have fun while the world deals with the pandemic COVID-19, according to CNN.
“They are good people, but they did not think about those who were at home, about the economic problems of many people who were hit hard by the blockade, of the sick,” said Pope Francis.
“[They thought] just to go on vacation and have fun. It really hurt me, “said the pope, according to CNN.
Pope Francis said his Sunday prayer in the library of the Apostolic Palace instead of his window outside St. Peter’s Square to prevent the crowds from gathering.
“What each of us – and all of us together – can do is commit a little more to taking care of each other and what has been created, our common home,” he said in his New Year message, according to CNN .
The pope’s comments come as the world deals with more than 85 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and more than 1.8 million fatalities, with the US having the most cases in more than 20 million and more than 350,000 deaths, from a deal with Johns Hopkins University.
His message was in line with the Christmas speech in which he called for the COVID-19 vaccines to be made available for “The most vulnerable and needy”.
Pope Francis missed his New Year’s services last week due to chronic pain, but spoke later on New Year’s Day.