In his first document of 2020, the Message for the 28th World Day of the Sick that will occur on February 11, Pope Francis still launches a clear and unequivocal 'no' to any euthanasia or assisted suicide practice. It also appeals to the conscientious objection of doctors, as a "necessary choice" to "remain consistent" with the vision of a "sacred and inviolable" life.
"Dear health workers - he says -, every diagnostic, preventive, therapeutic, research, cure and rehabilitation intervention is aimed at the sick person, where the noun 'person' always comes before the adjective 'sick'".
Therefore, "your action is constantly extended to the dignity and life of the person, without any yielding to euthanasia, assisted suicide or suppression of life, even when the state of the disease is irreversible".
"We remember that life is sacred and belongs to God, therefore it is inviolable and unavailable - stresses the Pontiff -. Life must be accepted, protected, respected and served from its birth to its death: both reason and faith require it at the same time. God author of life ". "In certain cases," Francesco continues, always addressing health professionals, "conscientious objection is for you the necessary choice to remain consistent with this 'yes' to life and to the person". "In any case - he adds -, your professionalism, animated by Christian charity, will be the best service to the true human right, that of life. When you cannot heal, you can always heal with gestures and procedures that give relief and relief to the patient" .