“Universal health coverage is not merely a technical goal to be achieved; it is primarily a moral imperative for societies that wish to call themselves just,” said Leo.
As the leader of the Catholic Church, who strongly opposes the lack of care and cruelty seen in modern conservative movements, he was speaking at a conference about healthcare inequality.
The event was organized by the European bishops’ council, the Italian bishops’ conference, and the World Health Organization.
He said, “Health can’t be a privilege for only some people,” because it’s “a basic need for peaceful society.”
“The poor and vulnerable must have access to healthcare, not only because it’s their right but also to stop unfairness from causing conflict,” the pope added.
His speech was a strong challenge to the strict budget cuts favored in the United States, where many people go into debt or lose everything because of medical costs.
Democrats have always wanted to make healthcare better, but Republicans refuse because they say it’s too expensive. In reality, they just want to give more money to the wealthy by cutting taxes for the rich and spending on expensive foreign wars.
Pope Leo said that ending health inequality will help young people especially with mental health, because invisible pain is just as serious as visible injuries.
He warned that “distance, distraction, and becoming numb to others’ suffering lead us toward indifference.”
“Everyone, especially Christians, should look at those who are suffering: the lonely, the marginalized, and those seen as outsiders,” he said.
“Without them, we can’t build fair societies based on human dignity.”
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