Banish 'self-centredness', Pope Francis tells the world as it faces COVID-19

Pope Francis reads his"Urbi et Orbi" message in St. Peter's Basilica with no public participation due to an outbreak of the coronavirus disease on Easter Sunday at the Vatican, April 12, 2020. Vatican Media/Handout via REUTERSVATICAN CITY: Pope Francis called on Sunday for global solidarity in fighting the coronavirus pandemic and its economic fallout, urging the relaxation of international sanctions, debt relief for poor nations and ceasefires in all conflicts.

Saying the message of this year's"Easter of solitude" should be a"contagion of hope," he heaped praise on doctors, nurses and others risking their lives to save others and hailed those working to keep essential services running. "Indifference, self-centredness, division and forgetfulness are not words we want to hear at this time. We want to ban these words forever!" he said.Pope Francis expressed sympathy for those not able to bid farewell to their loved ones because of restrictions, for Catholics who have not been able to receive the sacraments and for all those worried about an uncertain future.

He also called for debt reductions or forgiveness for the poorest nations, without naming any countries.Pope Francis expressed particular concern for the future of Europe, saying it was vital that rivalries that existed before World War Two"do not regain force" as a result of the pandemic.

Will the pope release monetary funds from the Vatican multi billion reserves to aid the poor in such times of uncertainty ? Clearly action speak louder than words .

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