Pope Francis expresses closeness to Charlie Gard’s parents
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has expressed his “affection and emotion” at the situation of Charlie Gard and “his own closeness to his parents”.
A statement from Greg Burke, Director of the Holy See Press Office, on Sunday said the Pope prays for 10-month old Charlie Gard’s parents and hopes “that their desire to accompany and care for their own child to the end is not ignored.”
Charlie was born with a rare genetic condition called mitochondrial depletion syndrome, which causes progressive muscle weakness and brain damage.
The European Court of Human Rights last week rejected a plea from the baby’s parents to be allowed to move him to the United States for experimental medical treatment.
Please find below a Vatican Radio English translation of the full statement:
“The Holy Father follows with affection and emotion the case of little Charlie Gard and expresses his own closeness to his parents. For them he prays, hoping that their desire to accompany and care for their own child to the end is not ignored.”