World leaders and prominent figures have been paying their respects to the family of Charlie Gard after news of his death broke yesterday.

 

Pope Francis, who had supported the move to bring the youngster to America for an experimental treatment, wrote on Twitter: “I entrust little Charlie to the Father and pray for his parents and all those who loved him”.

 

British Prime Minister Theresa May, who was criticised for not getting involved in Charlie’s case, also released a statement. “I am deeply saddened by the death of Charlie Gard,” she said. “My thoughts and prayers are with Charlie’s parents Chris and Connie at this difficult time”.

 

Donald Trump’s second-in-command, Vice President Mike Pence also expressed his sadness at Charlie’s death.

 

“Saddened to hear of the passing of Charlie Gard. Karen (his wife) and I offer our prayers and condolences to his loving parents during this difficult time”, he tweeted after the sad news broke.

 

 

Yesterday evening, The Mail Online broke the news that Charlie had died after being moved to a hospice. "Our beautiful little boy has gone, we are so proud of you Charlie,” his mum Connie Yates said.

 

Connie and her husband Chris Gard recently ended their five-month legal battle to bring the little boy to America for nucleoside bypass therapy to treat his rare genetic condition mitochondrial depletion syndrome.

 

Although Charlie’s parents fought tirelessly to keep him alive, backed by their supporters Charlie’s Army who had fundraised over £1 million for the little boy, it was deemed that Charlie would not benefit from the treatment.

 

An expert in mitochondrial depletion syndrome, Dr Michio Hirano flew into the UK to examine Charlie and new MRI and ECG tests were carried out on the little boy.

 

On July 21, it was revealed in court that Charlie’s MRI made for “sad reading” with parts of the little boy’s body containing no muscle at all.

 

 

After hearing the latest medical evidence, Connie and Chris made the incredibly difficult decision to remove life support from their young son.

 

Unfortunately, Connie and Chris’s wish for little Charlie to pass away at home was not granted with executives from Great Ormond Street Hospital claiming their plan was “not practical”.

 

As both parties could not come to an agreement on his end-of-life care, Mr Justice Francis, who presided over Charlie’s case ruled that Charlie be moved to a hospice and have his life support withdrawn "soon after".

 

Our thoughts are with Charlie’s family at this sad time.

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