Life support removed for UK girl after court ruling

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Terminally ill British girl Indi Gregory had her life support removed on Sunday after the 8-month-old's parents lost their legal battle to have her moved to Italy for treatment, according to the charity Christian Concern.

The emotive case is the latest in Britain pitting parents against the country's legal and healthcare systems.

Baby Indi was born on February 24 and diagnosed with mitochondrial disease, a genetic condition that prevents cells in the body from producing energy.

There is no cure and her parents -- Claire Staniforth and Dean Gregory -- wanted her to be treated at the Vatican-owned Bambino Gesu hospital.

But a British court ruled against transferring her despite the government in Rome awarding her citizenship.

Her father, Dean Gregory, said his daughter was "fighting hard" despite no longer being on life support and having temporarily stopped breathing during the night, according to Christian Concern.

After losing a court appeal, Gregory said that he and his wife were "disgusted by another one-sided decision from the judges".

Indi was transferred from hospital to an ambulance with a security escort late Saturday before being taken to a hospice.

Christian Legal Centre chief executive Andrea Williams said "Dean and Claire are by the side of their precious daughter Indi, keeping watch over her."

Pope Francis on Saturday released a statement saying he "embraces the family of little Indi Gregory, her father and mother, prays for them and her."