In an address from the Vatican, Pope Francis said any potential Covid-19 vaccine should be made available to all.

The Pontiff said: “It would be sad if, for the vaccine for Covid-19, priority were to be given to the richest! It would be sad if this vaccine were to become the property of this nation or another, rather than universal and for all”.

He issued his comments followed a warning by World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, against “vaccine nationalism.”

In his speech Pope Francis said: “The pandemic has laid bare the difficult situation of the poor and the great inequality that reigns in the world. And the virus, while it doesn’t make exceptions among persons, has found in its path, devastating, great inequalities and discrimination, and it has increased them.”

“If we can work together, we can ensure that all essential workers are protected, and proven treatments like dexamethasone are available to those who need them, he said.

“Sharing finite supplies strategically and globally is actually in each country’s national interest. No one is safe until everyone is safe”.

Tedros said: “While there is a wish amongst leaders to protect their own people first, the response to this pandemic has to be collective”.