Godspeed, Pope Francis
Image: Wiki Commons.
The IAHPC, a global, nondenominational organization whose vision is a world free from health-related suffering, mourns the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, a palliative care champion whose spirit of “closeness to those who suffer” (his words), will continue to inspire our work for years to come.
The Pontifical Academy for Life sponsored an important ecumenical work some of us had the honor to co-author, the "White Book for Palliative Care Advocacy": we worked on early drafts at Casa Santa Marta, where His Holiness lived. We often ate in the dining room with him, sharing the same buffet at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. He did not put on airs or hold himself apart.
In May 2024, his support for palliative care became more explicit. I was privileged to attend an International Interfaith Symposium on Palliative Care titled “Towards a Narrative of Hope,” organized by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Pontifical Academy for Life, in collaboration with other partners. Pope Francis sent us a message that read, in part:
"All who experience the uncertainties so often brought about by sickness and death need the witness of hope provided by those who care for them and who remain at their side. In this regard, palliative care, while seeking to alleviate the burden of pain as much as possible, is above all a concrete sign of closeness and solidarity with our brothers and sisters who are suffering. At the same time, this kind of care can help patients and their loved ones to accept the vulnerability, frailty, and finitude that mark human life in this world."
Francesco, El Papa, had the humility to accept the vulnerability, frailty, and finitude that characterizes older age. We honor his gigantic life and legacy and will continue to hold interfaith webinars on palliative care and engage in ecumenical advocacy for improved access to services and essential palliative care medicines.
—Katherine I. Pettus
IAHPC Senior Director of Advocacy and Partnerships
Read more of this week's issue of Pallinews
2 Global Wins
Palliative care included in WHO Pandemic Agreement & rights for older persons being drafted by the UN. A column by Katherine Pettus.
The Atlas of Palliative Care in Asia-Pacific Regions
Is a persuasive tool to press for improved access to palliative care & essential medicines, particularly for pain relief.
Abraham Fuks' The Language of Medicine
Reviewed by Romayne Gallagher.