Coronavirus vaccine access for all : Pope Francis

Pandemic restrictions meant the Christmas Day message was not delivered to crowds in St Peter’s Square (Image: REUTERS/BBC)

Pope Francis has called on world leaders to ensure unfettered access to Coronavirus vaccines for everyone.

In a Christmas Day address delivered online for the first time yesterday, the pontiff warned against putting up walls to treatments.

In view of the pandemic this year, the annual message was not presented from the balcony at St Peter’s Basilica to huge crowds, as is tradition. Instead the Pope spoke from a lectern in a chamber inside the Vatican.

Pope said, may the Son of God renew in political and government leaders a spirit of international cooperation, starting with health care, so that all will be ensured access to vaccines and treatment.

Pope Francis’ warning comes amid concerns that wealthier countries are buying up disproportionate doses of vaccines to the detriment of poorer ones.

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