Pope criticises people going on holiday to flee COVID lockdowns


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VATICAN CITY (Bywire News) - On Sunday, Pope Francis decried those who have taken trips abroad in an attempt to escape their countries lockdown restrictions. He expressed that people needed to have a better awareness of the impact of the virus.

Following his weekly blessing at noon, Pope Francis claimed he read several newspaper reports detailing how people have gone on holiday to avoid government restrictions and exercise their freedom elsewhere.

The pope said, in a video stream from the library of the Vatican's Apostolic Palace, "They didn't think about those who were staying at home, of the economic problems of many people who have been hit hard by the lockdown, of the sick people. (They thought) only about going on holiday and having fun." 

"This really saddened me," he added.

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, the traditional Angelus blessing, which is normally given from the window overlooking St. Peter's Square, has been set up indoors instead.

Francis said, "We don't know what 2021 will reserve for us, but what all of us can do together is make a bit more of an effort to take care of each other. There is the temptation to take care only of our own interests."

The coronavirus has taken over 84 million lives worldwide, leading many countries to impose tight restrictions in an attempt to fight the virus.

(Written by Klaudia Fior)

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