The father of terminally ill toddler Alfie Evans called for a truce in a divisive case that has pitted doctors and the British courts against Alfie's parents, Christian groups and Pope Francis. 

End-of-life disputes can be complicated and nuanced and require a sober understanding of the underlying medical technicalities and ethical concerns.

The Italian government granted citizenship to Alfie Evans, a seriously ill British toddler, in a last-minute effort to prevent doctors in England from withdrawing life-support.

The father asked for "asylum" in Italy so his seriously ill son may receive care and "not be euthanized" in England.

Highlighting the plight of a seriously ill toddler in Great Britain and a severely brain-damaged man in France, Pope Francis called for greater respect for every patient's life and dignity.

Intentionally causing a patient's death is different from accepting that a patient is dying.