VATICAN CITY

Pope links abortion to Nazi-era eugenics

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis denounced abortion on Saturday as the ‘‘white glove’’ equivalent of the Nazi-era eugenics program and urged families to accept the children that God gives them. Francis spoke off-the-cuff to a meeting of an Italian family association. The Vatican didn’t immediately provide a transcript of his remarks, but the ANSA news agency and the SIR agency of the Italian bishops’ conference quoted him as denouncing the prenatal tests that can result in parents choosing to terminate a pregnancy if the fetus is malformed or suffering other problems. ‘‘Last century, the whole world was scandalized by what the Nazis did to purify the race. Today, we do the same thing but with white gloves,’’ the agencies quoted Francis as saying. (AP)

ENGLAND

Epileptic boy’s treatment OK’d

LONDON — The British government changed course Saturday in a case concerning cannabis oil, saying an epileptic boy can be treated with it after his mother said he needed it to survive severe seizures. Home Secretary Sajid Javid said he has agreed to issue a license to allow Billy Caldwell, 12, from Northern Ireland, to be treated with the oil. He said his decision was based on advice from senior doctors who say that Caldwell, who was hospitalized overnight in London, faces a medical emergency. (AP)

VENEZUELA

17 clubgoers killed after tear gas set off

CARACAS — At least 17 people died early Saturday after a tear-gas canister was set off inside a club in a middle-class neighborhood of western Caracas, officials said. The victims, eight of whom were younger than 18, suffered either asphyxia or trauma to the body as hundreds of clubgoers stampeded to escape the fumes. Most of the present were teenagers celebrating their high school graduations at the private Social Club El Paraiso, according to government officials and security forces. (Washington Post)