# Pope Leo XIV: Medicine Must Not Serve Programmed Death

> Pope Leo XIV urges healthcare workers to protect human dignity over medical choices during his Lourdes visit.
- Title: Pope Leo XIV: Medicine Must Not Serve Programmed Death
- Summary: Pope Leo XIV urges healthcare workers to protect human dignity over medical choices during his Lourdes visit. Medicine must never be used to end life; human…
- Keywords: pope leo xiv, lourdes, sick pilgrims, healthcare workers, human dignity, euthanasia, abortion, protecting life, jesus, virgin mary, religion, world
- Source: Vaticannews — https://vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-09/pope-leo-human-dignity-cannot-be-measured-or-debated.html
- Author: Vatican News
- Published: 2026-09-27T14:13:41.201+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: pope leo xiv, lourdes, sick pilgrims, healthcare workers, human dignity, euthanasia, abortion, protecting life, jesus, virgin mary, religion, world
## Pope's Lourdes Visit
Pope Leo XIV met sick and frail pilgrims at Lourdes' Accueil Notre-Dame center, a healthcare facility for over 500 visitors.

> Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you
## Human Dignity Foundation
Pope Leo XIV stated human dignity cannot be measured or debated, emphasizing it is inalienable and inherent to all people.

> Our dignity cannot be measured or debated
## Rejection of Programmed Death
Pope Leo XIV warned against using medicine to cause death under false compassion, stressing that what is legal is not necessarily moral.

> We must reject the temptation to cause death under the guise of false compassion
## Healthcare Workers' Call
Pope Leo XIV urged healthcare workers to defend life, not eliminate people, and promote authentic palliative care.

> Be passionate defenders of life
## Sick Pilgrims' Value
Pope Leo XIV told sick pilgrims they are not burdens but the beating heart of humanity and a precious treasure for the Church.

> You are not a burden. You are the beating heart of our humanity and a precious treasure for the Church
## Lourdes' Miracle
Pope Leo XIV praised caregivers at Lourdes, calling their generosity the first miracle of the sanctuary.

> Is not the first miracle of Lourdes, for them, that they have met you
## Key takeaway

Medicine must never be used to end life; human dignity is inalienable and cannot be measured.