Pope Francis met with the Italian Association for the Donation of Organs, Tissues and Cells.
The president of the institution was in charge of greeting the pope. She had this to say on behalf of the more than five million people she represents.
“It is to make known the culture of donation and to help those in need of a transplant to continue living.”
The pope thanked them for their work. He recalled that organ donation is a profound human gesture, full of love and altruism. Therefore, Pope Francis insisted that organ and tissue donation should never become a business.
POPE FRANCIS
“It is important to maintain organ donation as a free, unpaid act. In fact, any form of commodification of the body, or one of its parts, is contrary to human dignity. When donating blood or an organ of the body it is necessary to respect the ethical and religious perspective.”
Finally, the pope stressed the importance in promoting a culture of donation that supports the spread of life under threat today.
POPE FRANCIS
“In the face of threats against life, which unfortunately we have to witness almost daily, as in the case of abortion and euthanasia - to mention the beginning and the end of life - society needs these concrete gestures of solidarity and generous love.”
Pope Francis insisted that concrete gestures helps one to understand life is something sacred.
