Pope prays for AIDS patients and caregivers
Vatican City-AP -- On the eve of World AIDS Day, Pope John Paul has prayed for AIDS patients and their caregivers in the Roman Catholic Church. The pope told people gathered in St. Peter's Square that the disease is spreading, particularly in poor countries.
He also said he wanted to encourage those in the church who take care of such patients.
John Paul's comments come amid renewed criticism of the Vatican's opposition to condoms as a way of preventing AIDS and H-I-V. The church says chastity is the best way to prevent both.
Last month, a top Vatican cardinal said condoms don't protect against the disease because the H-I-V virus is small enough to pass through them.
The U-N World Health Organization called his remark dangerous and "totally wrong."
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
|
