Pope Leo calls universal health care a ‘moral imperative’

VATICAN CITY: Pope Leo made a plea on Wednesday for countries to offer their citizens ​universal health care, calling it a “moral imperative” that people have access to the health services they need.
Previous popes have called for countries to offer universal health care, but calling an issue a “moral imperative” is an unusually strong term for ‌a pope ‌to use, indicating ​that something ‌is ⁠required ​by Catholic ⁠teaching.
“Universal health coverage is … a moral imperative for societies that wish to call themselves just,” the pope said in a meeting with participants in a health care conference organized by the World ⁠Health Organization and European bishops.
“Healthcare ‌must be accessible ‌to the most vulnerable … ​not only because ‌their dignity requires it but also ‌to prevent injustice from becoming a cause of conflict,” he said. “Health cannot be a luxury for the few.”
Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis, called ‌in 2021 for health care systems to be “accessible to all,” citing ⁠Italy’s tax-funded ⁠health service as an example.
Leo is the first pope from the United States, which does not have universal health coverage. At Wednesday’s meeting, he urged bishops in Europe to address inequalities in health care.
“Only together can we build communities of solidarity capable of caring for everyone,” said the pope. “Caring ​for the humanity ​of others helps us to live our own lives to the full.”