Pope Francis underlined the importance of having an "ethical responsibility" in the field of scientific and technological research on Saturday, in an apparent reference to the case of a sick British toddler.

He spoke hours after Alfie Evans' death was announced.

Alfie's parents won support from Pope Francis during a protracted legal battle over his treatment.

The Pope spoke during a conference at the Vatican, called "Unite to Cure. A Global Health Initiative."

The head of the Catholic Church did not refer directly to Evans' case, but his story had briefly been recalled during the same event by a cardinal speaking before the Pope.  

Alfie's case received much attention outside Britain, especially in Catholic countries.

Pope Francis, who had met with the Evans, appealed for the wishes of the boy's parents to be heeded, saying only God can decide who dies.

Italy even granted Alfie citizenship and put a military plane on standby to transport him to Rome if the courts allowed it.

Officials in largely Catholic Poland and Italy have implicitly criticised Britain's courts and state-run National Health Service on the case.