Covid-19: Pope Francis calls for vaccination, citing “a gesture of love”

Published on : 08/18/2021 – 08:34

Pope Francis called on the population to be vaccinated against Covid-19 on Wednesday, August 18, saying that vaccines could end the pandemic, only if everyone contributes their contribution.

“Thanks to God and the work of many, we now have vaccines to protect us from the coronavirus,” the Pope said in a video message made on behalf of the US nonprofit, The Ad Council, and Covid Collaborative, a group of public health experts and former American politicians.

“They give us hope to end the pandemic, but only if they are available to all and if we work together,” said the Pope.

“Ethical obligation”, “gesture of love”

Vaccines are widely available in developed countries, but mistrust and reluctance towards them results in many people refusing vaccination.

Poorer nations still do not have access to sufficient stocks of vaccines.

Pope Francis himself was vaccinated in March and said at the time that it was an ethical obligation.

“Vaccination is a simple but profound way to promote the common good and take care of each other, especially the most vulnerable. I pray to God that everyone can bring their little grain of sand, their little gesture of love “, said the Pope in his last video message.

Ad Council and Covid Collaborative aired several public service announcements about vaccines to the American public in January on television, websites and social media.

In a statement, the Ad Council said the pope’s message represented his first campaign to reach a global audience.

With Reuters