Vatican City, Sep 11, 2020 / 07:45 am
Economic considerations must not be allowed to encroach on the relationship between medical staff and patients, Pope Francis said Friday.
Speaking to members of the International Gynecologic Cancer Society (IGCS) Sept. 11, the pope said that humane care of the sick should not depend on the individual doctor but rather be an integral part of health systems.
"Financial concerns should not be allowed to dominate the field of healthcare to the point where such essential aspects as building relationships with patients are overlooked," he said.
He encouraged medical professionals to forge "bonds of solidarity" with patients and their relatives, and to care for the whole person, including their psychological, relational and spiritual well-being.