The father of seriously ill toddler Alfie Evans has begged the Pope to "save our son" after kissing his hand during a meeting at the Vatican.

Tom Evans, 21, travelled to Rome on Tuesday night seeking intervention from Pope Francis, as he and partner Kate James, 20, continue their fight to take Alfie abroad for treatment.

Their 23-month-old son is in a semi-vegetative state at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool, suffering from a degenerative neurological condition that has never been definitively diagnosed by doctors.

Image: Alfie Evans, who has been at the centre of a life-support battle

Last week, a judge decided it was in the best interests of Alfie for his life support to be switched off and set a date for him to be allowed to die.

The Court of Appeal then rejected a bid by his parents to take him to a hospital in Rome.


Mr Evans flew out to the city to appeal directly to Pope Francis, who voiced his support for their campaign earlier this month, and posted pictures on Facebook on Wednesday morning.

Image: Mr Evans and his partner previously received the Pope's backing on Twitter. Pic: Facebook

"Alfie we will do everything for you," he posted.

"You're not dying so we won't allow your life to be taken. Your holiness, save our son."

During his general audience after the meeting, the Pope - who previously expressed support for Charlie Gard, who was also at the centre of a life support battle - led the crowd in a moment of silent prayer for Alfie.

The child's parents want him to be seen by specialists at Bambino Gesu Paediatric Hospital.

The couple are waiting to hear back on a second application to the Supreme Court regarding his future, having also already lost legal fights at the European Court of Human Rights, High Court and Court of Appeal.