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(CNN) – Pope Francis used his Christmas message to say that coronavirus vaccines must be available to all and pleaded with states to cooperate in the race to emerge from the pandemic.
“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 within everyone’s reach,” said the Pope on Friday during his traditional Urbi et Orbi (a the city and the world) message in the Vatican.
“I pray to all heads of 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 regions of the globe. . “
Pope Francis called for “generosity and support,” particularly toward those experiencing unemployment, hardship and domestic violence during the pandemic.
He spoke from the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican, as opposed to his balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square, from where he traditionally issues the address.
The leader of the Catholic Church also used the Christmas Day message to call for an end to conflicts in the Middle East and Africa, as well as relief from suffering throughout the American continent.
The pope also celebrated a poorly attended Christmas Eve mass at the back of St. Peter’s Basilica on Thursday.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, only 200 people were present, including 30 cardinals.
Christmas Eve Mass is a historic event in Vatican City. It is usually held in the main section of the basilica, according to Reuters, and generally draws up to 10,000 people.
All except the Pope and those who sang in the choir wore masks and the event ended earlier than usual so that people could return home before the national curfew at 10pm in Italy.
This year the Pope highlighted the importance of helping those in need, noting in his homily that Jesus was born outcast.
“The Son of God was born as an outcast, to tell us that every outcast is a child of God,” he said.
Friday’s blessing concludes a silent year for the Pope, whose activities have been severely restricted by the pandemic.
He had his regular online Wednesday audience from March to September and in the spring he celebrated Palm Sunday Mass in an empty church.
Italy was one of the most affected countries during the first wave of COVID-19 in Europe. The country’s government has enforced its most stringent level of COVID-19 measures across the country over the Christmas and New Years period to prevent a third wave.
This story was first published on CNN.com, “Pope Francis asks countries to share COVID-19 vaccines in Christmas message.”
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