The Pope and the Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, have offered their prayers and condolences following the death of terminally-ill baby, Charlie Gard, on 28 July.
The 11-month-old, who suffered a rare genetic disorder, died on Friday, just over a week before his first birthday.
Charlie’s parents, Chris Gard and Connie Yates, fought a five-month legal battle to have him transferred from Great Ormond Street hospital in central London, where he was on life support, to the US for experimental treatment which they hoped could give “a meaningful life” to Charlie, who was blind and deaf and could not breath without a ventilator.
They abandoned their legal battle on 24 July, saying it was too late to save him. On Thursday, he was moved to a hospice and died the following day (28 July).
Connie Yates issued a brief statement saying: "Our beautiful little boy has gone, we are so proud of you Charlie."
Writing on Twitter, Pope Francis said: “I entrust little Charlie to the Father and pray for his parents and all those who loved him.”
Cardinal Nichols said in a statement that he was “deeply saddened” by Charlie’s passing, and offered his “sincere and profound condolences” to Charlie’s parents “who have treasured him with such strong and undiminished love.”
“We pray that our Heavenly Father, who most certainly welcomes the soul of their beloved son into heaven, will comfort and strengthen them and all their family and friends,” the statement continued.
Cardinal Nichols’ statement also offers support and sympathies to the staff of Great Ormond Street Hospital, who cared for Charlie.
“Having visited the hospital recently, I know the unstinting and outstanding professionalism and resources offered to every young patient and family in this remarkable Hospital,” reads Cardinal Nichols’ statement. “They too,” his message continues, “will bear keenly the sorrow of the death of Charlie Gard.”
The couple wanted to take Charlie home to die, but a High Court judge decided it was in the child's best interest to spend his final hours in the care of a hospice.
Connie Yates said following the decision that she and Charlie’s father had been “denied” their “final wish”.
Speaking this morning (31 July) on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme the archbishop of Canterbury spoke of his deep sympathy for Charlie’s family, as well as the medics who treated him and the judges who presided over his case.
Justin Welby talked about his own daughter, Johanna, who died when she was less than a year old adding that the world could not be explained by rationality alone.
Prime Minister Theresa May also offered her prayers to the family.
"I am deeply saddened by the death of Charlie Gard,” she said on Friday. “My thoughts and prayers are with Charlie's parents Chris and Connie at this difficult time.”
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