Pope renews appeal for Ebola affected nations

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis says his thoughts are with the West African nations battling the Ebola outbreak and he has appealed to the international community to redouble their efforts to aid the people who are suffering from this terrible disease.

Emer McCarthy reports Listen 

The Pope was speaking at the end of his weekly audience with pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square. 

He said: “My thoughts now go to those countries in Africa that are suffering because of the outbreak of Ebola. I am close to the many people affected by this terrible disease. I invite you to pray for them and for those who have so tragically lost their lives. I hope the international community may provide much needed help to alleviate the sufferings of our brothers and sisters”.

Wednesday’s appeal was the second time in 24 hours that the Pope has spoken out about the epidemic centred around the West African nations of Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. 

Receiving the Bishops of Ghana on their Ad Limina Pilgrimage to the Holy See, Pope Francis stated : “I think in a particular way about the importance of the Church’s health care apostolate, not only in Ghana, but throughout western Africa, which is suffering at this time from the outbreak of Ebola,” he said. 

“I pray for the repose of the souls of all who have died in this epidemic, among whom are priests, men and women religious and healthcare workers who contracted this terrible disease while caring for those suffering,” Pope Francis continued.  “May God strengthen all healthcare workers there and bring an end to this tragedy!”

About 5,800 illnesses and over 2,800 deaths have been counted since the first cases of the hemorrhagic fever were reported six months ago. But international health authorities have warned that the crisis is probably far worse in reality, with many corpses and infected people hidden or unreported.

The World Health Organization released estimates Tuesday  warning that cases could soar dramatically. The U.N. agency, whose estimates were published online by the New England Journal of Medicine, said 21,000 people could be infected in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone by early November.

The WHO said the death rate has been about 70 percent among hospitalized patients.