November 28, 2012. (Romereports.com) (-ONLY VIDEO-) December 1st is World AIDS Day. In light of this date, Benedict XVI called on the international community to take action to stop the spread of HIV and AIDS, especially among children. The Pope highlighted that special attention needs to be given to the poorest areas, where medication is often scarce, especially medication that can prevent pregnant women from transmitting the virus to their unborn children.  

The Pope also thanked all the Catholic groups that work directly out in the field by helping the sick and promoting initiatives to eradicate the epidemic.

POPE'S APPEAL:

“World AIDS Day, a United Nations initiative intended to draw attention to a disease that has caused millions of deaths and tragic human suffering, will fall on December 1st.  HIV/AIDS particularly affects the poorest regions of the world, where there is very limited access to effective medicines.

My thoughts turn in particular to the large number of children who contract the virus from their mothers each year, despite the treatments which exist to prevent its transmission. I encourage the many initiatives that, within the scope of the ecclesial mission, have been taken in order to eradicate this scourge".