The pope made his appeal as tens of thousands joined a third day of nationwide demonstrations in Myanmar against the military's removal of elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi a week ago. His overview was dominated by the economic, social, medical, and political ramifications of the coronavirus pandemic and the need for global solidarity to overcome the crisis, including an equitable distribution of vaccines and guaranteed health care. Listing various conflicts, he spoke of his "affection and closeness" to the people of Myanmar, which he visited in 2017. "The path to democracy undertaken in recent years was brusquely interrupted by last week’s coup d’état," Francis said. The economic crisis had laid bare a system "based on the exploitation and waste of both people and natural resources," he said.

Source: bd News24 February 08, 2021 12:00 UTC