In an audience with participants in the Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Academy for Life, the pontiff highlighted the relevance and significance of the theme chosen for the event: “Health for All, Sustainability and Equity,” the Holy See Press Office reported in a statement.
“In a world torn apart by conflicts, which absorb enormous economic, technological, and organizational resources to produce weapons and other war machines, it is more important than ever to dedicate time, energy, and expertise to protecting life and health,” Leo XIV stated at the meeting.
“Wars, which involve civilian structures, including hospitals, are the most absurd attack that humanity itself directs against life and public health,” the leader of the Catholic Church stated.
“Given the global scope of the problem, I reiterate the need to find effective ways to strengthen international and multilateral relations, so that they can regain the necessary strength to play the role of encounter and mediation needed to prevent conflicts,” he declared.
The Holy Father reaffirmed his appeal made on January 9, during his address to the members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See, that “no one should fall into the temptation of dominating others with the logic of force, whether verbal, physical, or military.”
He further emphasized that “health, as Pope Francis has stated, is not a consumer good, but a universal right, and therefore, access to healthcare cannot be a privilege.”
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