Cardinal Parolin tells UN universal health care is a moral imperative

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, told the United Nations on Sept. 25 that universal health care is a moral imperative. Speaking at a high-level meeting on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response during the 81st UN General Assembly in New York, the cardinal urged leaders to make medical progress accessible to citizens in the most vulnerable countries.

Parolin cited Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical *Magnifica Humanitas*, which notes that scientific and medical advances are often not easily accessible to most people, a fact demonstrated during recent pandemics. The cardinal warned that failing to close this gap will make it more difficult to prevent and respond to future pandemics effectively. He stated that efforts must begin by addressing poverty, poor living conditions, and the lack of healthcare, which increase the risk of severe illness and death.

The UN meeting focused on developing a multilateral and intergenerational approach to public health emergencies based on equity and solidarity. Parolin also called for greater solidarity and increased attention to the mental health of young people.