A leprosy charity has praised Pope Francis for defending some of the world’s most marginalised people.

Pope Francis called on world leaders to unite their efforts to combat leprosy and end the stigma surrounding the disease, saying the Covid-19 pandemic “has confirmed the need to protect the right to health for those who are most fragile.” 

He said he hoped “the leaders of nations will unite their efforts to treat those suffering from leprosy and for their social inclusion.”

Peter Waddup, national director of the Leprosy Mission, praised Pope Francis for heeding Jesus’ example of healing those with leprosy.

Peter said: “In Luke’s Gospel we read how Jesus not only gave physical healing to the man with leprosy who begged him to “make him clean”, but also emotional and social healing.

“Leprosy shouldn’t be a 21st-century disease. It has been completely curable since the 1980s with a combination of antibiotics.

“Leprosy thrives where there are poor living conditions, malnutrition and a lack of sanitation. It continues to blight lives in the poorest communities on earth, causing disabilities and blindness.

“But from what I have witnessed, it is the stigma surrounding leprosy that is the most heartbreaking.

“People are cast out of families, their communities, workplaces and schools because of this prejudice.

“As Christians we have a duty, a calling, to reach out these people and see that they are included and valued. 

“I am incredibly grateful to Pope Francis’ call to world leaders to ensure that people are cured from leprosy and can thrive in their communities. From reading the Bible we know this is exactly what Jesus would do.”

The Catholic Church has championed many human rights defenders for those living with the effects of leprosy.

Pope Francis has visited leprosy colonies. In 2019 the late British missionary John Bradburne, who was murdered by Robert Mugabe’s troops for defending a leprosy colony in Zimbabwe, was put on the road to sainthood by the Vatican.

The Leprosy Mission has been awarded UK Aid Match funding from the UK government for its Unconditional Appeal. The campaign seeks to help rid Mozambique of leprosy by creating a sea change in attitudes surrounding the ancient disease.

Championed by Dame Darcey Bussell, who visited the work while on holiday with her family in Mozambique, the campaign shines a light on leprosy in the troubled northern Cabo Delgado province.

It seeks to improve access to treatment and educate people about leprosy so that they recognise the early signs. Crucially, it strives to give people the confidence to step forward and be treated before they develop disabilities.

Peter explained: “The Unconditional Appeal works by training up Leprosy Changemakers. These are volunteers, health workers, traditional healers, religious leaders and village chiefs trained to recognise the early signs of leprosy.

“These amazing pillars of the community are telling people about leprosy and that it is completely curable. They are a vital linchpin between the patient and medical services.”

To find out more or donate visit unconditionalappeal.org.uk.

Every donation made to the Unconditional Appeal by April 24 2021 will be matched by the UK government.