Pope Francis has said that Charlie Gard’s parents should be allowed to “accompany and care” for their child “to the end”.
His statement, issued on Sunday, was widely seen as supporting the parents’ wish for him to receive experimental treatment abroad.
Great Ormond Street Hospital, where Charlie was being treated, argued that this was not in his best interest. The courts upheld their decision.
The 10-month-old was born with mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome, which causes progressive muscle weakness, brain damage and respiratory or liver failure. It is typically fatal.
