Pope Francis on April 28, 2018, expressed his condolences to the parents of Alfie Evans upon learning of the toddler’s death early in the morning local time in a Liverpool hospital.
«I am deeply moved by the death of little Alfie. Today I pray especially for his parents, as God the Father receives him in his tender embrace,» the Pope said via Twitter.
Alfie had been the center of an international debate over his care that included an offer from the Vatican’s Bambino Gesù Hospital in Rome, to assume the care — and expenses — of the ill child after Alder Hey Hospital said his condition was not treatable and he should be allowed to die. The hospital’s decision was upheld by UK courts in the face of repeated appeals by the parents, as well as concerned people around the world, including the Holy Father.
Some of the key ZENIT articles on the Alfie Evans saga:
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Father of Alfie Evans: The Pope Told Me ‘No Child’s Life Should Be Taken Away From Him’
Tom Evans Tells Zenit That During Meeting Pope Was Asked to Seek Asylum Personally for Them & Eventual Citizenship
Vatican Hospital is Ready to Care for Alfie Evans
Rome’s Bambino Gesu Pediactric Hospital Would Bear Expenses
UPDATE: Alfie Evans Again Prohibited from Going to Italy
UK Judges Declare ‘Final Chapter’ for Alfie
Pope Appeals for Alfie Evans: The Only Master of Life Is God
Asks All Present to Pray in Silence for Alfie and Vincent Lambert
After Life Support Withdrawn, Alfie Evans Still Alive & Breathing; Then, Hospital Gives Water & Oxygen
23-month-old ‘Little Trooper’ Never Stopped Breathing for more than 9 hours
US Bishops Tweet Support for Alfie Evans
‘We urge all Catholics to join the Holy Father in praying for #AlfieEvans and his family’