Pope Francis called for international assistance to combat the Ebola virus epidemic in African countries, during his weekly general audience held at St. Peter’s Square.

“My thoughts now go to those countries in Africa that are suffering because of the outbreak of Ebola,” he said, as he offered prayers for the victims of the disease.

The Pope said he hoped “the international community may provide much needed help to alleviate the sufferings of our brothers and sisters”.

The number of patients infected with the deadly Ebola virus in West Africa has reached 5,800, and 2,800 of them have died, the World Health Organisation said in its latest count.

The affected countries are Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and, to a lesser extent, Nigeria and Senegal.