Pope Francis said in his Christmas Day message that coronavirus vaccines should be made available to everyone free of charge and that nations should work together to recover from the effects of the pandemic.
The situation: Because of Italy’s restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19, the leader of the Catholic Church delivered the traditional Urbi et Orbi speech (for the city and the world) at the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace, rather than on a balcony with a view to St. Peter’s Square for a generally large crowd.
- “At this time in history, marked by the ecological crisis and serious economic and social imbalances aggravated by the coronavirus pandemic, it is even more important that we recognize ourselves as brothers and sisters,” said Francis, to the AP.
What is he saying: “Today, in this age of darkness and uncertainty during the pandemic, different lights of hope appear, such as the discovery of vaccines … they should be available to everyone,” said the pope, according to CNN.
- “I ask all those responsible for the states, companies, international organizations … to promote cooperation and not competition and seek a solution for everyone, vaccines for everyone, especially for the most vulnerable and needy in all the regions of the globe. “
- The pope called for generosity and support for people experiencing difficulties during the pandemic, including unemployment and domestic violence.