Pope Leo XIV calls to defend and not undermine the dignity of serious patients

Pope Leo XIV defended the “dignity granted by God to every person, without exception” and called to promote a “genuine compassion” towards serious sick on the occasion of the “Day for Life” organized jointly by the episcopal conferences of England and Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

The Pontiff wanted to send their proximity to all participants, through a telegram signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State.

“His holiness pray that, through your common testimony on the dignity granted by God to every person – without exception – and about tender accompaniment, similar to Christ, to serious patients, the whole society feels encouraged to defend, instead of undermining, a civilization founded on authentic love and genuine compassion,” he said.

In the message, addressed to Monsignor John Sherrington, Archbishop of Liverpool, the Pontiff highlighted the deep tune between the motto chosen this year – “Hope does not disappoint: finding meaning in suffering” – and the year retirement 2025, focused precisely on the theological virtue of hope.

Thus asked to pay attention to “how the mystery of suffering, so present in the human condition, can be transformed by grace into an experience of the presence of the Lord.”

On the telegram he cited the message of Pope Francis for the XXXIII World Day of the patient, and recalled that “God is always close to those who suffer and guide us to understand the deepest meaning of life, in love and closeness.”

The Holy Father concluded by trusting “the fruits of this day to the intercession of Our Lady of Good Council” and, as “a garment of strength, joy and peace in the risen Lord,” his apostolic blessing taught at all those involved in the initiative.

The “Day for Life” is celebrated annually as a day dedicated to promoting the value of all human life, from conception to natural death, and addressing contemporary ethical issues with a Christian, pastoral and committed look.