SUPPORTERS of Alfie Evans held a candle-lit vigil at the Vatican last night after his dad called for hospital demonstrations to stop — so his final days can be "dignified".

Dozens of well-wishers stood in sombre silence at the seat of the Catholic Church as the 23-month-old clung to life at Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool.

28 Supporters turned out in their dozens at the Vatican to hold a candle-lit vigil for Alfie Evans Credit: AP:Associated Press

28 Worshippers gathered in sombre silence in support of sick Alfie clinging to life in Liverpool Credit: AP:Associated Press

There were also vigils in outside the British Embassy in Warsaw in support of the terminally-ill tot.

They gathered in prayer as dad Tom Evans, 21, signalled an end to the public campaign to have his sick son released from the children's clinic.

Tom said his supporters. dubbed Alfie's Army, should "return back to your everyday lives" following days of fevered demonstrations outside Alder Hey and on social media.

He said: "We are very grateful and we appreciate all the support we have received from around the world, including from our Italian and Polish supporters, who have dedicated their time and support to our incredible fight."

Latest on the Alfie Evans case:

Alfie Evans' parents lose Appeal Court bid to overturn decision stopping the tot being taken to Italy for treatment

Dad Tom Evans appears to signal end to public campaign as he calls on supporters to "return back to your everyday lives"

Mum Kate James claims Alfie is "struggling and needs immediate intervention"

Alder Hey's staff and docs subjected to a "barrage" of abuse, hospital bosses say

The Pope put a military air ambulance on standby in an attempt to have the 23-month-old boy be flown to the Vatican

Alfie, diagnosed with a brain condition, had his life support removed at 9.17pm on Monday and has been since been put on oxygen

Dad Tom Evans tried to privately prosecute three doctors for conspiracy to murder his son, court is told

Judge says there is "virtually nothing left" of Alfie's brain

28 Alfie's story has touched the hearts of many after Pope Francis personally intervened and called for him to be allowed to come to Rome for treatment Credit: AP:Associated Press

28 A candle-lit vigil was also held in Warsaw for sick Alfie Credit: Reuters

28 And angry poster outside the British Embassy in Warsaw, where supporters gathered for Alfie Credit: Reuters

28 Alfie Evans' dad Tom said he and partner Kate want to work with doctors to ensure his son is treated with 'dignity and comfort' Credit: AFP or licensors

Alfie Evans' father ​Tom, reads a statement outside Alder Hey ​Hospital call​ing on 'Alfie's Army to 'stand down' and praises staff for 'dignity and professionalism'

His statement followed a crunch meeting with doctors as he and partner Kate hope to get Alfie home after their battle to have him airlifted to Italy ended in defeat.

But just hours earlier Tom had blasted medics by claiming they treated his family like "criminals".

He told LBC radio: "We're not like them. We walk around the corridors and they pop into other cubicles to avoid us."

Liverpool NHS staff had been warned to hide their uniforms after receiving "unprecedented personal abuse".

Tom and partner Kate James earlier revealed they would be dropping their legal battle to have Alfie taken to Rome for treatment - and instead simply want to take him home.

28 A lone woman stands at the abandoned protest site outside Alder Hey Hospital after Alfie's dad Tom told supporters to go home Credit: AFP or licensors

28 Alfie is cuddled by his mum, with the tot continuing to cling to life today Credit: Facebook

28 Tom Evans said this morning he believed his son would live for years if he was allowed to go home Credit: Getty Images - Getty

28 Mum Kate shared a photograph of her son, writing: 'How gorgeous is this boy tho'

In his u-turn statement Tom said last night: "We would now ask you to return back to your everyday lives and allow myself, Kate and Alder Hey to form a relationship, build a bridge and walk across it.

"We also wish to thank Alder Hey staff at every level for their dignity and professionalism during what must be an incredibly difficult time for them too.

"Together we recognise the strains (that) recent events have put upon us all and we now wish for privacy for everyone concerned.

"In Alfie's interests we will work with his treating team on a plan that provides our boy with the dignity and comfort he needs.

"From this point onwards there will be no more statements issued or interviews given. We hope you will respect this."

Immediately after giving his statement the Alfie's Army Facebook page, which had coordinated the public campaign, was set to private.

And the protest site outside Alder Hey was all but abandoned as supporters left behind balloons and posters garnered over days of vocal and sometimes rowdy demos.

28 Supporters of Alfie Evans' family staged a demonstration outside Belfast City Hall Credit: Pacemaker Press

28 Protests outside Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool continued today Credit: AFP or licensors

28 A bus drives past the Alfie Evans protest outside Alder Hey Credit: AFP or licensors

28 Demonstrators had been out in force for days outside the hospital where sick Alfie is staying Credit: AFP or licensors

The family have been fighting for months to have Alfie - who is suffering from an unknown degenerative brain condition - flown to Italy for a possible diagnosis and treatment.

They have been supported by Christian groups and the Italian government after Pope Francis personally backed their campaign by gifting an air ambulance to take him to Rome.

Before Tom's statement hundreds of protesters staged a march in London from Buckingham Palace to Parliament — while protests took place in Northern Ireland, Poland and the US.

Speaking earlier, Tom said: "We could take it further, but would it be the right thing to do, would people give me more criticism.

He added: "As I sit next to Alfie's bedside, every second of every day, it encourages me more and more that he will live for 'x' amount of months, possibly years."

Alfie Evans mum posts touching video of tot after 48 hours off life support

28 Mum Kate James shared a touching video of her stroking little Alfie's face last night Credit: Kate James

28 Alfie sleeps next to dad Tom last night after the family were left devastated by another court defeat Credit: Alfie's Army

28 Alfie Evans' life support was removed at 9.17pm on Monday evening Credit: Alfie's Army

28 Protesters have been staging demonstrations outside Alder Hey for several days Credit: EPA

Alfie is currently clinging to life as he receives just oxygen, milk and water after being taken off life-support on Monday in line with court backing of Alder Hey doctors.

Tom praised his partner Kate James for sustaining him and their son, saying: "Alfie’s fought through the night the last two nights because he’s been lying on her chest nonstop.

"And him and his mum have become closer now more than ever before."

He added: "I cannot explain how blessed I am to have Alfie and Kate in my life. That's what keeps me fighting".

The previous night Alfie's parents kept a bedside vigil next to their son.

Mum Kate posted a poignant clip of their sleeping tot with the words: "My whole entire world I love you so much baby boy".

The clip was shared just hours after Appeals Court judges ruled the tot would not be flown to Italy.

28 Alfie Evans' family shared a message on social media, simply reading '62 hours of independent breathing' Credit: Instagram

28 Police outside Alder Hey Hospital which has seen several days of protests Credit: EPA

28 A weeping woman outside Alder Hey last night after the Appeal Court rejected a plea to take the tot to Italy Credit: Mercury Press

Protesters had been flocking to the Liverpool children's hospital forcing a heavy police presence while tens of thousands have taken part in the Alfie's Army campaign on social media.

Merseyside Police warned supporters of Alfie's family that their social media posts are being monitored over the abuse of Alder Hey staff.

Ch Insp Chris Gibson said: "Any offences including malicious communications and threatening behaviour will be investigated and where necessary will be acted upon".

And an open letter from the heads of Alder Hey said their staff had been subjected to a "barrage" of abuse both online and in person.

28 Alfie was shown cuddling his family after his life support was turned off on Monday night Credit: instagram

28 Alfie Evans was born with a rare degenerative condition

28 Supporters with Alfie's Army posted this image on Facebook showing candles lit in prayer Credit: Facebook

28 A woman lays flowers for terminally ill British toddler Alfie Evans placed outside the British Embassy in Warsaw, Poland Credit: AP:Associated Press

28 A group of Alfie Evans supporters from Poland arrive at Alder Hey to show their support for his release Credit: Mercury Press

28 Dozens of police were on guard to keep protesters from storming Alder Hey Hospital Credit: The Press Association

28 The 21-year-old met with the Pope this week to tell him what he wants to do with his son Credit: Mercury Press

Most read in news HOUE OF FUN This £1.25m coastal townhouse is hiding an incredible secret in its garden INSTANT KARMA Angry driver taunts Trump fans & flips bird before CRASHING into car in front Live Blog VIRUS LATEST 2nd national lockdown coming & family visits could be BANNED, top experts warn Live Blog OUT OF IT 'Two YEAR' implementation even if last-minute Brexit deal struck before deadline 'DIED ALONE' Missing boy, 14, found dead after search volunteers banned over Covid curfew Live Blog BIG CHILL Arctic FREEZE brings torrential rain as Met Office warns of temperature plunge

Chairman Sir David Henshaw and chief executive Louise Shepherd wrote: "In the last two weeks we have found ourselves at the centre of a social media storm that has included many untrue statements about our work and the motivations of our staff.

"This has led to often inappropriate interventions from a range of external bodies and individuals, some of which have caused significant disruption to our children, families and staff."

And during his ruling rejecting the family's plea to let Alfie go to Rome, Appeal Court judge Lord Justice McFarlane called for an investigation into the "darker side" to some offers of support given to parents of terminally ill children.

Alfie Evans' dad Tom Evans speaks to a large protest outside Alder Hey hospital in Liverpool

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368 . You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.