Pope Francis receives participants

This morning in the Vatican Pope Francis received participants in the conference on regenerative medicine «Unite to cure. A global health care initiative» which the Order of Malta also attended.

Before the audience, Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto greeted the Pope, exchanging some words with him.

In his speech to participants, albeit praising those seeking ways to relieve suffering, the Pope pointed out that: “not everything technically possible or doable is thereby ethically acceptable”.

The international conference, now at its fourth edition, is promoted by the Pontifical Council of Culture. The Grand Hospitaller Dominique de La Rochefoucauld-Montbel gave an address in which he said that “there are vast issues raised by the new technologies involving laws and human rights. We all have in mind the Lambert case in France, that of Alfie in Great Britain and recently that of little Shuruk in the Order of Malta’s Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem. Who has to decide on life, on a dignified life or on death? The family, the doctors, the judges? Don’t let us forget that human dignity is inviolable”.

During the three days the participants – scientists, physicians, patients, ethicists, government officials and representatives of the various religions – discussed technological progress, the global needs of patients and sharing knowledge on improving human health, preventing diseases and protecting the environment. There were numerous themes addressed during the meeting, ranging from the healing power of prayer to the importance of a more careful and selective diet, today’s “loneliness epidemic” and genetic testing with its health implications.