Begging Pope Francis to help his son, Alfie, Tom Evans met with the Pontiff, pleading for "asylum" in Italy so his seriously ill son may receive care and not be euthanized in England. "If Your Holiness helps our child, Your Holiness will be potentially saving the future for our children in the U.K., especially the disabled. We pray the problem we are facing is solved peacefully and respectfully as no child deserves this," Evans said in a statement he personally delivered to the Pope on April 18. The private meeting came before the pope appealed publicly yet again for appropriate care and respect for 23-month-old Alfie Evans.