Leo XIV calls for caring attitude for sustainable health systems

Pope Leo XIV has vindicated in his speech before the plenary assembly of the Pontifical Academy for Life, presided over by the Archbishop Renzo Pegoraro, two behaviors. “The fundamental attitude of care as support and closeness to others, not only because they are in need or sick, but because they share an existential condition of vulnerability, common to all human beings.”.

And the need that, “in a world torn apart by conflicts, which absorb enormous economic, technological and organizational resources to produce weapons and other war devices, it is more important than ever to devote time, energy and expertise to protecting life and health. Health, as Pope Francis said, ‘is not a commodity, but a universal right.

The common good, a fundamental principle

“We need to strengthen our understanding and practice of the common good, so that it is not neglected under the pressure of particular, individual and national interests,” the Pontiff added yesterday.

The common good - one of the fundamental principles of the Church's social thought -, said Leo XIV, “risks remaining an abstract and irrelevant notion if we do not recognize its roots in the concrete practice of the close relationships between persons and the bonds that are lived among citizens. 

This is the basis on which a democratic culture can grow, one that encourages participation and is capable of combining efficiency, solidarity and justice,” he said.

Restoring confidence in medicine and professionals.

In connection with the care, The Pope added that only with this fundamental attitude of support for others “will we be able to develop more effective and sustainable health systems. Systems ”capable of meeting health needs in a world of limited resources and of restoring confidence in medicine and health professionals, despite misinformation and skepticism about science.“.

Conflict prevention, supranational organizations

Given the scope of the problems, Leo XIV stressed that he had to reiterate “the need to find effective ways of strengthening international and multilateral relations”. So that they can “regain the strength necessary to play the role of encounter and mediation needed to prevent conflicts, without anyone being tempted to dominate the other by the logic of force, whether verbal, physical or military” (Address to the Diplomatic Corps , January 9, 2026). 

This perspective also applies to the cooperation and coordination carried out by supranational organizations committed to the protection and promotion of health”.

This is my last wish, the Pope said. “May your commitment be an effective witness to that attitude of mutual care that expresses the way God treats us, because He cares for all His children.”. 

“Not focusing on immediate profit. Build bridges.”

Shortly before, the Pope reiterated that we must focus not “on the immediate benefit, but on what will be best for all. Knowing how to be patient, generous and in solidarity, creating links and building bridges, working in a network, optimizing resources, so that everyone can feel that they are protagonists and beneficiaries of the common work” (Speech to the participants of the Seminar on Ethics in the Management of Health Care Enterprises, November 17, 2025).

As for prevention, “it implies a broad perspective: the situations in which communities live, which are the result of social and environmental policies, have an impact on people's health and lives”. 

The Pope has noted “enormous inequalities when we examine life expectancy - and healthy life expectancy - in different countries and social groups.”.

“Wars, the most absurd attack on life.”

These inequalities depend on variables such as, for example, salary level, educational qualifications and neighborhood, he reflected. But “unfortunately today we cannot ignore wars, The ”most absurd attack that man himself directs against life and public health", involving civilian structures, including hospitals, constitutes the most absurd attack that man himself directs against life and public health. 

Leo XIV quoted the encyclical ‘Laudato Si’, to recall that “all beings in the universe are united by invisible bonds and form a kind of universal family, a sublime communion that moves us to a sacred, loving and humble respect” (n. 89).

And “this approach is in tune with the global bioethics that your Academy has repeatedly addressed and that it is good to continue to cultivate,” he said.