Pope Francis held a private audience with the Religious Association of Healthcare Institutes, known as ARIS: a group involved with the management of Christian healthcare facilities throughout Italy. During the meeting, the Pope reflected on the responsibility of the Church and religious hospitals.
POPE FRANCIS
As a Church, we are called to respond to the health demands of the poorest, the excluded and those who, for economic or cultural reasons, see their needs disregarded.
The Pope insisted once again that religious hospitals have an obligation to care for the marginalized and give full attention to those in need.
POPE FRANCIS
This has been the legacy of so many Christian-inspired health institutions, beginning with the birth of the hospitals themselves, created precisely to treat those no one wanted to touch.
Before closing with a blessing, Pope Francis encouraged the members of ARIS to pursue new paths. He stressed that taking risks often leads to progress that will help prevent the deterioration of hospitals which he believes could happen in Rome.
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TR: AT
