POPE HAILS UN

VATICAN CITY : Pope Francis on Sunday threw his support behind a UN Security Council  resolution calling for a halt to conflicts to facilitate the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

The UN Security Council on Wednesday unanimously adopted the resolution after more than three months of negotiations calling for ''an immediate cessation of hostilities in all situations'' on the Security Council's agenda.

''The request for a global and immediate ceasefire, which would allow that peace and security  necessary to provide the needed humanitarian assistance is commendable,'' the pope said after his weekly Angelus prayer at St. Peter's in Rome.

''I hope that this decision will be implemented effectively and promptly for the good of the many people who are suffering.

''May this Security Council resolution become a courageous first step towards a peaceful future.''

The resolution was the Security Council's first statement on the pandemic and its first real action since the outbreak started in Chinese city of Wuhan in December.  [AFP]