Pope Francis says the poorest and weakest members of society should receive preferential treatment when a COVID-19 vaccine is made available.
Speaking from the Vatican in a video address to the United Nations, he said the pandemic highlighted the urgent need to promote public health.
The Pope said wealthy nations needed to refrain from hoarding a vaccine.
More than 150 vaccines are currently under development with two dozen in the human studies phase and a handful in late-stage trials.