News by email Donate

Suggestions

HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS-POPE credit REUTERS header.JPG
Reuters
HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS-POPE credit REUTERS thumb.JPG
Reuters
World News

Pope Francis urges everyone to get Covid-19 vaccines for the good of all

by Reuters Journalist

Pope Francis issued an appeal on Wednesday urging people to get inoculated against Covid-19, saying the vaccines could bring an end to the pandemic, but needed to be taken by everyone.

"Thanks to God's grace and to the work of many, we now have vaccines to protect us from Covid-19," the pope said in a video message made on behalf of the nonprofit U.S. group the Ad Council and the public health coalition Covid Collaborative.

"They grant us the hope of ending the pandemic, but only if they are available to all and if we work together."

Vaccines are widely available in mainly wealthier nations, but mistrust and hesitancy over the newly developed shots have meant that many people are refusing to take them, leaving them especially vulnerable as the Delta variant spreads. By contrast, poorer nations still do not have access to large-scale vaccine supplies.

Medical experts have warned that ever-more dangerous variants might develop if the virus is allowed to circulate in large pools of non-vaccinated people.

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

"Vaccination is a simple but profound way of promoting the common good and caring for each other, especially the most vulnerable. I pray to God that everyone may contribute their own small grain of sand, their own small gesture of love," the pope said in his latest video message.

The Ad Council and Covid Collaborative launched vaccine public service announcements to the U.S. public in January across television, websites and social media. 

In a statement, the Ad Council said the pope's message represented its first campaign designed for a global audience.

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate