After today’s catechesis, the Pope mentioned that tomorrow, 1 December, will be World AIDS Day, promoted by the United Nations. “Millions of people live with this disease, and only half of them have access to live-saving treatment”, he said. “I invite you to pray for them and for their loved ones, and to promote solidarity so that the poorest may also have access to adequate diagnosis and care. I appeal to all to act responsibly to avoid the further spread of this disease”.

He went on to refer to the International Conference on the protection of heritage in conflict zones, organised by a joint initiative of France and the United Arab Emirates with the collaboration of UNESCO and to be held in Abu Dhabi from 2 to 3 December. “A theme that is, unfortunately, dramatically relevant”, he observed. “In the conviction that the protection of cultural heritage constitutes an essential dimension of the defence of the human being, I hope that this event marks a new stage in the implementation of human rights”.