‘Divert Weapons Funding To Research To Prevent Next Pandemic’, Says Pope Francis

Pope Francis has urged politicians to divert funds spent on weapons to research, to prevent another pandemic.

The Catholic Pontiff said this on Saturday as he led the largest gathering in the Vatican in nearly three months.

Pope Francis who presided at an outdoor prayer service with about 130 people, including many directly affected by the pandemic, appealed to national leaders, at the close of his prayers, to take a far-sighted attitude, helping the most needy now and putting in place long-term economic and social solutions.

He prayed that the Madonna would “touch (leaders’) consciences so that enormous sums spent to possess more armaments and to perfect them be instead destined to the promotion of sufficient research to prevent such catastrophes in the future”.

Reuters reports earlier this month, Francis called for international scientific cooperation to develop a vaccine and said any successful one should be shared globally.

For nearly three months, Francis has led televised Masses, general audiences and Sunday addresses from ins.

St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Peter’s Square were fully reopened on May 18 as Italy entered the second phase of easing restrictions.

On Sunday, Francis will say a Mass with only about 50 people inside the basilica but will later deliver his Sunday message from his window overlooking the square for the first time since early March.