Francis calls for solution to vaccine delivery delay at Easter Sunday mass

Vatican City, Apr 4 (efe-epa).- Pope Francis called on the international community to resolve delays in delivering Covid-19 vaccines in his Easter Sunday message, delivered from inside an empty St. Peter’s Basilica.

Following the Resurrection Sunday mass, held inside the temple instead of from the balcony on St Peter’s square as Italy is under lockdown, the pope said that “the vaccines are an essential tool” in the fight against the pandemic.

“I urge the entire international community to make a common commitment to overcome the delays in its distribution and to promote its distribution, especially in the poorest countries,” he said in front of a little over 200 worshippers.

He also denounced that armed conflicts continue despite the “very grave” economic and social crises provoked by the ongoing pandemic. “This is the scandal of our days,” he added.

“The risen Christ is hope for all those still suffering from the pandemic, for the sick and for those who lost a loved one,” he said.

“Unfortunately, the pandemic has dramatically increased the number of the poor and the despair of thousands of people,” he lamented.

He called for hope “for so many young people who have been forced to spend long periods without attending school or university, and without being able to share time with friends”. EFE-EPA

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