(CNA)- Vincent Lambert, a 42 year-old quadriplegic man, died in a French hospital Thursday morning, 9 days after doctors withdrew his food and water. “Vincent died at 8:24 this morning,” Lambert’s nephew, Francois Lambert, told AFP News Agency.
Lambert died July 11 at University Hospital in the northern French city of Reims, where doctors had withdrawn his water and feeding tubes more than one week before. Lambert had been under what his doctors called “profound and continuous sedation” since then.
The Vatican issued a statement Thursday, noting sadness over the news of Lambert’s death.
“We pray that the Lord will welcome him into his house and we express closeness to his loved ones and to those who, up to the last, have committed themselves to assist him with love and dedication,” said Alessandro Gisotti, interim director of the Holy See press office. CONTINUE