Mastodon
RNS logo

Pope prays for ill baby Charlie Gard and parents

LONDON (AP) — The Vatican also said in a statement Monday evening that Francis 'feels especially close to them at this time of immense suffering.'
Pope prays for ill baby Charlie Gard and parents
The parents of critically ill baby Charlie Gard, Connie Yates and Chris Gard, arrive at the High Court in London on July 24, 2017. The parents of the 11-month old, who has a rare genetic condition and brain damage, are returning to court for the latest stage in their effort to seek permission to take the child to the United States for medical treatment. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
RNS staff

Pope Francis recites the Angelus noon prayer from the window of his studio overlooking St.Peter’s Square at the Vatican on July 23, 2017. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

LONDON (AP) — Pope Francis is praying for Charlie Gard, the critically ill baby who is hospitalized in Britain, and the 11-month-old boy’s parents.

The Vatican also said in a statement Monday evening (July 24) that Francis “feels especially close to them at this time of immense suffering.”


Francis, who had previously expressed support for the parents in their bid to seek an experimental medical treatment for their son’s rare genetic condition, also asked the faithful to join him in prayer so the baby’s parents “may find God’s consolation and love.”

A few hours earlier, the parents, Connie Yates and Chris Gard, dropped their legal battle to send their child to the United States for the treatment, acknowledging that the window of opportunity to help him had closed.

Recent tests found Charlie has irreversible muscular damage.

Explore More in:
No paywalls here. Thanks to you.
As an independent nonprofit, RNS believes everyone should have access to coverage of religion that is fair, thoughtful and inclusive. That's why you will never hit a paywall on our site; you can read all the stories and columns you want, free of charge (and we hope you read a lot of them!)

But, of course, producing this journalism carries a high cost, to support the reporters, editors, columnists, and the behind-the-scenes staff that keep this site up and running. That's why we ask that if you can, you consider becoming one of our donors. Any amount helps, and because we're a nonprofit, all of it goes to support our mission: To produce thoughtful, factual coverage of religion that helps you better understand the world. Thank you for reading and supporting RNS.
Deborah Caldwell, CEO and Publisher
Donate today