MAKOWKA, Poland (OSV NEWS) — The road to celebrate World Day of the Sick Feb. 11 in his dream modern hospice in the poorest region of Poland was long and bumpy for Dr. Pawel Grabowski. But, as a Catholic, he knew that there
The way individual Catholics and their parishes care for the sick offers a precise measure of just how much they either are part of or are fighting the "throwaway culture" that ignores or discards anyone seen as flawed or weak, Pope Francis
Caring for the sick means not only healing the wounds of the body but also those that afflict the soul, Pope Francis said.
"Care cannot be divided because the human being cannot be divided. We could -- paradoxically -- save the body and
People have a right to life, not to death, which must be welcomed but never provoked, Pope Francis said.
"The right to care and treatment for all must always be prioritized, so that the weakest, especially the elderly and the sick, are never
Although scientists have made great strides in the field of medicine, genuine care and listening to those who suffer must always be at the forefront of any therapy, Pope Francis said.
"Patients are always more important than their diseases, and for this reason,
Caring for and healing the sick is an essential part of the Catholic Church's ministry, just as it was a constant part of Jesus' ministry, Pope Francis said.
"Taking care of the sick of every kind is not an 'optional activity' for the
Praising those who help the sick and praying for those who are sick, Pope Francis called on Christians to practice what they preach, including by guaranteeing equal access to health care for all people.
"The current pandemic has exacerbated inequalities in our health