Access to quality healthcare must not become a luxury only for those who can afford it, Pope Leo XIV declared on Wednesday. At the same time, he called on countries around the world to provide universal health insurance to their citizens, reports TASR according to ANSA and Reuters agencies.
- Access to quality healthcare must not be a luxury for the rich.
- Leo XIV called on all countries to introduce universal health insurance.
- He described access to necessary health services as a fundamental moral obligation of companies.
- Health care should be available to the most vulnerable in order to avoid conflicts.
- Building solidary communities caring for everyone enables a fuller life for all.
During an audience with participants at a Rome conference on health care, he called access to necessary health services a “moral obligation.” “Health must not be a luxury for the few, but a necessary condition for social peace,” said Leo XIV.
“Universal health insurance is not just a technical goal to be achieved. It is first and foremost a moral obligation of societies that want to call themselves fair.” continued the head of the Catholic Church. “Health protection and health care must be accessible to the most vulnerable, as their dignity requires it, and also to prevent injustice from becoming a source of conflict,” added the Pope.
Similar views were held by his predecessor František. In 2021, he called for health care systems to be “accessible to all” and cited the Italian tax-funded system as an example. “Only together can we build solidary communities that are able to care for everyone… Caring for the humanity of others helps us live our own lives to the fullest,” Leo XIV concluded.
