“I entrust to your prayer persons such as Vincent Lambert in France, little Alfie Evans in England, and others in several countries who live, sometimes for a long time, in a state of grave illness, assisted medically for their primary needs,» the Holy Father said.
“They are delicate situations, very painful and complex. Let us pray so that every sick person is always respected in his dignity and cared for in a way adapted to his condition, with the harmonious contribution of the family, of doctors and of other health workers, with great respect for life.”
To save Alfie Evans, the case pits parents against hospital in a legal battle over whether care should be continued. Regarding Vincent Lambert, the case involves a debate over whether a severely disabled patient should be allowed to die as a result of lack of food and water.