Pope Francis praised the work of nurses around the world, saying the coronavirus crisis had shown how vital their service is, as he appealed to governments to invest more in healthcare, Reuters reported.

“Every day we witness the testimony of courage and sacrifice of healthcare workers, and nurses in particular, who, with professionalism, self-sacrifice, and a sense of responsibility and love for neighbour, assist people affected by the virus, even to the point of putting their own health at risk,” Francis said in a special message for International Nurses Day.

He said the pandemic had helped the world rediscover the fundamental role of nurses in healthcare, adding that they deserve to be more fully valued and their working conditions improved.