But the couple broke down in tears as their lawyer Grant Armstrong told the court: "It is no longer in Charlie's best interest to pursue this course of treatment. British doctors believe Gard's brain damage is "severe and irreversible" and have said the baby "may be suffering". The ruling led to the intervention of both US President Donald Trump and Pope Francis, who offered to help the baby. Charlie suffers from a rare form of mitochondrial disease, which causes progressive muscle weakness in the heart and other key organs. Judge Francis paid tribute to the parents "for the love and the care they gave to their child Charlie".

Source: The Nation Bangkok July 24, 2017 14:26 UTC