I saw him die

Pepe was a lively man, a brilliant public administration professional, and a lover of music, the accordion, and hunting with his dog Perla. Despite a difficult medical history—which included essential tremor, heart surgeries, and the aftereffects of several cancers that required him to be catheterized—he always kept a smile on his face and maintained a normal life, guided by his steadfast Aragonese stubbornness. However, in September 2024, the cancer returned. Faced with a hospital prognosis that offered him only six more months to live in exchange for aggressive chemotherapy and radiation treatments, Pepe found himself overcome by anxiety, sadness, and a sense of helplessness.

That was when he made a firm decision: he refused treatment, requested to be discharged voluntarily, and as a family we made the best decision we could: to admit him to the Laguna Palliative Care Center. This completely transformed the final stage of his life. From day one, the medical team was committed not only to easing his pain but also to caring for him with the utmost affection.

Thanks to this environment, Pepe regained his playful and lively spirit. He wasn’t alone because we took turns being with him; he was able to say goodbye to friends and coworkers. He even led a moving musical moment at Christmas, singing an adapted Christmas carol (set to the tune of “On My Way”) at the top of his lungs in front of the ward’s nativity scene, bringing together family members of other patients in a celebration of life. On January 17, 2025, Pepe passed away peacefully and without suffering. His final three months were not a time of agony, but a period of reconnection, forgiveness, gratitude, and farewell. Those of us who witnessed his passing did not weep out of grief, but out of deep emotion and gratitude that, without those palliative care, they would have been stolen from us. 

Political Debate and the «Culture of Discard» 

This testimony takes on special significance in light of the Speech by Pope Leo XIV to the Spanish Parliament. Addressing a chamber that had passed the euthanasia law, the Pontiff reminded the lawmakers that: “Every human life must be recognized and protected from conception until its natural end.”. 

He also emphasized that the defense of life is neither a religious nor a partisan issue. Although his remarks were met with a prolonged round of applause lasting more than seven minutes, it is worth asking whether lawmakers have carefully considered the true impact of these words. 

The fact that there are people who suffer and feel that their lives lack meaning should not push society toward what Pope Francis called the “culture of discarding.” The real problem lies in the lack of support, in the absence of gazes that restore dignity and of care that alleviates pain. When I think of those who suffer in loneliness and abandonment, my heart breaks; these are people who often have no one to look them in the eye and restore their human dignity, nor anyone to offer them the support necessary to alleviate their suffering. 

Humanizing Healthcare: Resources Over Euthanasia 

It is disconcerting that the institutional response to human frailty is euthanasia, rather than sufficient budgetary and resource allocations for palliative care services. It is only fair to acknowledge that in our healthcare system (at least in the Community of Madrid), these services are on the rise. A clear example of their benefits was the home care provided to a friend of mine—Rodrigo—during the final months of his life, a form of support that his family and friends deeply appreciated. 

It is imperative to commend the work of the professionals—doctors and nurses—who provide these services. Their day-to-day work is psychologically and emotionally extremely demanding, as they go about their duties knowing that they will not be able to cure their patients’ illnesses. However, their dedication is rewarded by the boundless gratitude of the patients and their loved ones. 

A Call for Responsibility 

A country’s legislation must be judged by its ability to protect the most vulnerable. As the Pontiff rightly pointed out to public authorities: “Laws do not achieve their greatness merely by being formally enacted, but when they respect the intrinsic dignity of the person. Public authorities must remember that each of their decisions affects real, flesh-and-blood citizens, especially those who have no voice to make themselves heard.”. 

It is time for political leaders to show the courage needed to change course. The solution cannot be the fast track to euthanasia; it must be a priority investment in palliative care that upholds the dignity of so many people in this state of great fragility and vulnerability.