Pope Francis urges faster vaccine distribution to poorest countries

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Pope Francis urged Catholics to remain hopeful in his Easter Sunday address, calling for a swift vaccine roll-out for the world's poorest countries./Filippo Monteforte/AP

Christians around the world celebrated a second Easter under COVID-19 restrictions, with Pope Francis calling for vaccines to be shared among the poorest nations as coronavirus cases surge.

Vaccine rollouts have been gathering pace in many richer countries, but numbers of cases around the world continue to rise.

It has meant many countries having to reintroduce restrictions, including in many parts of Europe and South America.

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Italy has entered a three-day strict nationwide lockdown to prevent new surges of the coronavirus during the Easter weekend. /Gregorio Borgia/AP

Vaccination was "an essential tool" in the fight against the virus, the Pope said in his Easter Sunday address, with Italy under a strict lockdown over the weekend.

"I urge the entire international community... to commit to overcoming delays in the distribution of vaccines and to facilitate their distribution, especially in the poorest countries," he said to a COIVD-19-secure congregation of only around 100 people inside the vast St Peter's Basilica.

The Pope focused his message on the world's most vulnerable – the sick, migrants, those facing economic hardship and people living in war zones like Syria, Yemen and Libya.

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"The pandemic is still spreading, while the social and economic crisis remains severe, especially for the poor," said the 84-year-old Argentine, who is the leader of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics.

The Pope said it was "scandalous" that armed conflicts around the world had not ceased.

"There are still too many wars and too much violence in the world," adding that April 4 marked an awareness day against landmines, which he called "insidious and horrible devices."

COVID-19 restrictions including use of facemasks remained in place in the UK during the Easter weekend. /Oli Scarff/ AFP

Meanwhile, in his Easter message, the UK's Prime Minister Boris Johnson acknowledged that although churches were open, once again Christians were not able to mark Easter as they would like because of the ongoing restrictions.

"But, as ever, the arrival of Easter brings with it new hope. And, this year more than ever, it brings the promise of brighter days ahead for us all," said Johnson.

"So stay safe, keep following the rules, and have a very happy Easter."

Johnson also recognized the support of the church leaders during "a very tough 12 months."

Source(s): AFP ,Reuters

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