Pope calls for vaccines to be given to the needy

Addressing on the occasion of Christmas, Pope Francis called on countries around the world to ensure COVID-19 vaccines are made available to those most in need of them.

Vatican City: Pope Francis used his 'Urbi et Orbi' Christmas Day address to call on countries around the world to ensure COVID-19 vaccines are made available to those most in need of them.

In response to a virus resurgence in Italy, the pontiff wasn't appearing on the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica this Christmas but opted to deliver his annual address on world issues from inside the Apostolic Palace.

"We cannot allow that isolated nationalisms forbid us to live as the true human family that we are," said the Pontiff.

In Rome, partial lockdown measures were keeping the faithful from gathering in St. Peter's Square, where in past years tens of thousands would receive a papal blessing and hear the pope's traditional Christmas Day message.

COVID-19 featured prominently in his speech, with Italy being one of the worst countries affected in Europe.

"I pray for all those in charge of nations, companies, international organizations, to promote cooperation and not competition and look for a solution for everybody, vaccines for everybody, especially for the most vulnerable and needy ones," Francis said.

AP