The pope said on Sunday he was “saddened” by news reports claiming people were flying abroad in the midst of the pandemic to have fun.
“They are good people, but they did not think of those who stayed at home, of the economic problems of many people who were hard hit by the lockdown, or of the sick,” Pope Francis said Sunday.
“[They thought] just about going on vacation and having fun. It hurt me a lot, ‘the pope said at the end of his Angelus prayer on Sunday.
Pope Francis held his Sunday prayers from the Apostolic Palace Library, rather than from the usual window overlooking St. Peter’s Square, where crowds usually congregate, to limit the spread of the virus.
Many countries around the world are facing renewed locks and travel restrictions, with 84 million people now infected with the virus. At least 1.83 million people have died, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University.
Pope Francis renewed his best wishes for the new year, saying: ‘What each of us – and all of us together – can do is to commit ourselves a little more to caring for one another and for what has been created, our common home. . “
In the past, the pope has also criticized people who refuse to wear masks or who protest against coronavirus restrictions, saying they are moving into ‘their own little world of interests’.
“Today, in this time of darkness and uncertainty during the pandemic, various lights of hope appear, such as the discovery of the vaccines … it must be available to everyone,” the pope said during his traditional Urbi et Orbi (to the city). ) said. and the world) message in the Vatican.