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This morning, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father Leo XIV received in audience the Prefects of Italy, to whom he delivered the following address:

 

Address of the Holy Father

Dear Minister,

Distinguished Prefects,

I extend a cordial greeting to each one of you, and I thank you for this visit, which confirms your commitment to working together, according to your respective roles, for the good of Italian society. Your patron saint, Saint Ambrose of Milan, embodies an excellent example of the convergence between State and Church: as prefect of that great city, which was the capital of the empire, he became its bishop by acclamation, as is said. Following this rapid transition, Ambrose exercised his public functions in a new way, placing the spiritual authority with which he had been invested at the service of the people.

In late antiquity, a certain commonality between the role of the prefect and the episcopal ministry is also signified by the names and titles used to refer to both the management of public affairs and the administration of the Christian community. Both the citizens of Rome and the disciples of Jesus were organized into dioceses, or districts headed either by praetorian prefects or by episkopoi , that is, bishops, who watched over the people like good shepherds.

This historical kinship still informs your mission today, which is to serve the State by guaranteeing public order and the safety of all citizens. Our times in particular, characterized by international conflicts and tensions, highlight the importance of protecting the common good, which is irreducible to material aspects, since it relates first and foremost to the moral and spiritual heritage of the Italian Republic. These values find in civil coexistence the best conditions in which to spread and progress.

By overseeing social harmony, the Prefect contributes to safeguarding the indispensable prerequisite of the freedom and rights of citizens. The entire population benefits from this service, especially the most vulnerable groups. In fact, when the civic space is free from unrest, the poor find it easier to be welcomed, the elderly experience greater peace of mind, and services for families, the sick and young people improve, fostering a more confident outlook on the future.

Public order, therefore, does not concern only the necessary fight against crime or the prevention of harmful riots; it also requires a tenacious commitment against those forms of violence, falsehood and vulgarity that hurt the social body. On the positive side, your supervisory tasks aim to nurture social relations and build increasingly efficient agreements between central state institutions, local authorities and citizens.

In this regard, it is worth recalling a teaching of Saint Augustine, who was baptised by Saint Ambrose. The Bishop of Hippo wrote: “Those who rule serve those whom they seem to command; for they rule not from a love of power, but from a sense of the duty they owe to others” ( De civitate Dei , XIX, 14). This basic principle is in line with the provisions of the Italian Constitution, which states in Article 98: “Civil servants shall be at the sole service of the Nation”. By establishing this exclusivity, the Constitution attests to the fundamental meaning of your noble service, which certainly responds to the laws of the State, but even more so to conscience, which knows, understands and applies them with firmness and fairness. On the one hand, in fact, laws are an expression of the will of the people; on the other, conscience interprets your personal humanity: both must be kept free from pressure, exercising both rigour and magnanimity as virtues well-tempered in righteous men.

You are well aware of the inner discipline required to govern and promote order in your own thoughts, before that of the Republic; for this very reason, serving the Nation means dedicating oneself with a clear mind and integrity of conscience to the community, namely, to the common good of the Italian people. In this regard, the high office you hold demands a twofold witness. The first is achieved through collaboration between the various administrative bodies and levels of the State; the second is achieved by connecting professional responsibility and conduct in life, as an example of dedication to your fellow citizens, especially the younger generations. In this regard, I hope that your authority will contribute to improving the image of the bureaucracy, cooperating to make the care of society increasingly virtuous.

Especially in emergency situations, faced with calamities and dangers, your role enables you to express fully the values of solidarity, courage and justice that honour the Italian Republic. The ethical depth of your service also distinguishes the challenges posed by new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, which are now also applied in public administration. These tools must be carefully governed, not only to protect personal data, but for the benefit of all, without elitist requisitions.

By cultivating a style of conscious, honest and active citizenship, know that you can always count on the collaboration and respect of the Church. The constructive relations you maintain with the diocesan bishops particularly favour the reception of migrants and the many forms of support for those in need, that allow us to work together on the front line, as well as the management of other practical matters such as church councils. The faith of the Christian community and the religious values it embodies thus contribute to the cultural and social growth of Italy.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, wishing each of you the best of success, I cordially bless you, your service and your families.

On  Tuesday 17 February 2026 , at  11.30 , a press conference will be held at the Holy See Press Office, Via della Conciliazione 54, to present the  “Healthcare for all. Sustainability and equity” International Workshop  organized by the Pontifical Academy for Life, to be held in Rome from 16 to 17 February 2026, at the Patristic Institute  Augustinianum , Via Paolo VI, 25.

The speakers will be:

-  Msgr. Renzo Pegoraro , president of the Pontifical Academy for Life;

-  Msgr. Robert J. Vitillo , senior advisor of the Dicastery for Integral Human Development;

-  Mr. Ezekiel J. Emmanuel , vice provost of Global Initiatives;

-  Ms. Sheila Tlou , African Leaders Malaria Alliance.

The press conference will be livestreamed in the original language on the  Vatican News  YouTube channel, at  https://www.youtube.com/c/VaticanNews .

Remote participation

Journalists and media operators who wish to participate remotely in the press conference must apply, no later than two hours before the event, via the Holy See Press Office online accreditation system, at  https://press.vatican.va/accreditamenti , selecting the event:  CS Healthcare for all. Sustainability and equity.

During the request phase, please select the option “Sì” in the box “Partecipazione da remoto”.

Journalists and media operators who are admitted will receive confirmation of participation via the online accreditation system and, at the same time, the link to access the virtual platform and participate actively in the press conference, with the possibility to ask questions.

Participation in person

Journalists and media operators who wish to participate in the press conference in person must apply, no later than 24 hours before the event, via the Holy See Press Office online accreditation system, at  https://press.vatican.va/accreditamenti , selecting the event:  CS Healthcare for all. Sustainability and equity.

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Journalists and media operators accredited for the press conference are advised to arrive 30 minutes before the start time.

Simultaneous translation

Both by connecting to the respective  Vatican News  linguistic YouTube channels and by using the virtual participation platform indicated in the paragraph “Remote participation”, it will be possible to access the simultaneous translation channels and to listen to the press conference in  Italian  and  English .

Simultaneous translation will also be available to those present at the Holy See Press Office.

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Journalists and media operators who are admitted will receive confirmation of participation via the online accreditation system.

Appointment of apostolic nuncio in Tunisia

Resignation and appointment of bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde, Cabo Verde

Appointment of ordinary member of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences

 

Appointment of apostolic nuncio in Tunisia

The Holy Father has appointed Archbishop Javier Herrera Corona, apostolic nuncio in Algeria and titular of Vulturara, as apostolic nuncio in Tunisia.

 

Resignation and appointment of bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde, Cabo Verde

The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Santiago de Cabo Verde, Cabo Verde, presented by His Eminence Cardinal Arlindo Gomes Furtado.

The Holy Father has appointed Bishop Teodoro Mendes Tavares, C.S.Sp., hitherto of the diocese of Ponta de Pedras, Brazil, as bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde, Cabo Verde.

Curriculum vitae

Bishop Teodoro Mendes Tavares, C.S.Sp., was born on 7 January 1964 in Cabo Verde. After giving his vows in the Congregation of the Spiritan Fathers, he carried out his studies in philosophy at the Higher Institute of Theology in Braga and in theology at the Universidade Católica Portuguesa in Lisbon. He was subsequently awarded a licentiate in ecumenism at Trinity College, Dublin.

He was ordained a priest on 11 July 1993.

He was appointed titular bishop of Verbe and auxiliary of the archdiocese of Belém do Pará, Brazil, on 16 February 2011, receiving episcopal ordination the following 8 May. He was later appointed coadjutor bishop of the diocese of Ponta de Pedras, Brazil, on 10 June 2015, succeeding as bishop on 23 September 2015.

 

Appointment of ordinary member of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences

The Holy Father has appointed the distinguished Professor Tyler J. VanderWeele, professor of epidemiology at Harvard University, United States of America, as ordinary member of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences.

Curriculum vitae

Professor VanderWeele was born in Chicago, United States of America, in 1979. He graduated in mathematics from the University of Oxford in 2000 and, subsequently, in philosophy and theology. He was awarded a master’s degree in finance and applied economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and completed his research doctorate in biostatistics at Harvard University in 2006. He taught at the University of Chicago and is currently a faculty member of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. He is the author of numerous articles regarding the fields of biomedicine, social sciences and philosophy.

This morning, the Holy Father received in audience:

- His Eminence Cardinal Michael Czerny, S.J., prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development; with Sr. Alessandra Smerilli, F.M.A., secretary; and His Eminence Cardinal Fabio Baggio, C.S., undersecretary;

- Monsignor Fernando Ocáriz Braña, moderator of the Prelature of Opus Dei;

- Archbishop Charles John Brown, titular of Aquileia, apostolic nuncio in the Philippines;

- Participants in the Plenary of the Pontifical Academy for Life;

- His Eminence Polycarpos, metropolitan for Italy of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople;

- Prefects of the Italian Republic.

This morning, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father Leo XIV received in audience the participants in the Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Academy for Life.

The following is the address delivered by the Pope to those present at the meeting:

 

Address of the Holy Father

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Peace be with you.

Good morning to all of you and welcome!

 

Your Eminences, Your Excellencies, Distinguished Members of the Academy, Dear brothers and sisters,

It is a pleasure for me to meet with you for the first time, together with your new President, Monsignor Renzo Pegoraro. I would like to thank you for your scientific research placed at the service of human life and for the work undertaken by  the Pontifical Academy .

I greatly appreciate the theme you have selected for this year’s meeting:  Healthcare for All. Sustainability and Equity . This topic is very important, both for its relevance and for its symbolic meaning. Indeed, in a world scarred by conflicts, which consume enormous economic, technological and organizational resources in the production of arms and other types of military equipment, it has never been more important to dedicate time, people and expertise to safeguarding life and health. In regard to the latter,  Pope Francis  affirmed that it “is not a consumer good, but a universal right which means that access to healthcare services cannot be a privilege” ( Address to “Doctors with Africa – CUAMM ,” 7 May 2016). I therefore thank you for choosing this theme.

The first aspect that I wish to emphasize is the  connection between the health of all and that of each individual . Covid-19, the pandemic, demonstrated this, even harshly at times. Indeed, it has become clear how much reciprocity and interdependence underpin our health and our very lives. Studying this interdependence requires dialogue between different fields of knowledge: medicine, politics, ethics, management and others. It is like a mosaic, whose success depends on both the choice of tiles and their combination. In fact, in matters regarding healthcare systems and public health, it is a question, on the one hand, of understanding the phenomena and, on the other, of identifying specific political, social and technological actions that affect family, work, the environment and society as a whole. Our responsibility lies, therefore, not only in taking measures to treat diseases and ensure equitable access to healthcare, but also in recognizing how health is influenced and promoted by a combination of factors, which need to be examined and confronted in their complexity.

In this regard, I would like to reiterate that we must focus not “on immediate profit, but on what will be best for everyone, knowing how to be patient, generous and supportive, creating bonds and building bridges, working in networks, optimizing resources, so that everyone can feel they are protagonists and beneficiaries of the common work” ( Address to the participants in the Seminar “On Ethics and Business Administration in the Healthcare Sector” , 17 November 2025).

Here we come to the theme of  prevention , which also involves a broad perspective, for the situations in which communities find themselves are the result of social and environmental policies, and have an impact on the health and life of the person. When we look at life expectancy and the quality of health in different countries and social groups, we discover enormous inequalities. These depend upon variables such as income level, the level of education attained and the neighborhood in which one lives. Sadly, today we are also faced with wars that impact civilian structures, including hospitals, which constitute the most grave attacks that human hands can make against life and public health. It is often said that life and health are equally fundamental values for all, but this statement is hypocritical if, at the same time, we ignore the structural causes and policies that determine inequalities. In reality, despite declarations and statements to the contrary, all lives are not equally respected and health is neither protected nor promoted in the same way for everyone.

The concept of  One health  can help us as a basis for a global, multidisciplinary and integrated approach to health issues. It emphasizes the environmental dimension and the interdependence of the various forms of life and ecological factors that enable their balanced development. Therefore, it is important to grow in the awareness that human life is incomprehensible and unsustainable without other creatures. Indeed, to quote the Encyclical  Laudato Si’ ,  “all of us are linked by unseen bonds and together form a kind of universal family, a sublime communion which fills us with a sacred, affectionate and humble respect” ( No. 89 ). This approach is very much in line with the global bioethics that your Academy has repeatedly taken an interest in and which you do well to continue to cultivate.

Understood in terms of public action,  One health  calls for the integration of health considerations into all policies (transportation, housing, agriculture, employment, education, and so on), since questions of health touch upon every aspect of life. Thus, we need to strengthen our understanding and promotion of the common good, so that it is not violated under the pressure of specific individual or national interests.

The common good — one of the fundamental principles of the Church’s social teaching — risks remaining an abstract and irrelevant notion if we do not recognize that it is rooted in the fostering of close relationships between people and bonds between members of society. This is the ground upon which a democratic culture can grow, one that encourages participation and is capable of uniting efficiency, solidarity and justice. We need to rediscover the fundamental attitude of care as support and closeness to others, not only because someone is in need or is sick, but because they experience vulnerability, the vulnerability that is common to all human beings. Only in this way will we be able to develop more effective and sustainable healthcare systems, capable of satisfying every health need in a world of limited resources as well as restoring trust in medicine and healthcare professionals, notwithstanding any misinformation or skepticism regarding science.

Given the global importance of this question, I reiterate the need to find effective means of strengthening international and multilateral relationships, so that they can “can regain the strength needed for undertaking its role of encounter and mediation. This is indeed necessary for preventing conflicts, and for ensuring that no one is tempted to prevail over others with the mindset of force, whether verbal, physical or military” ( Address to Members of the Diplomatic Corps , 9 January 2026). This vision also applies to the cooperation and coordination carried out by supranational organizations engaged in the protection and the promotion of health.

And so, my friends, I conclude by expressing my hope that your commitment will bear effective witness to mutual care, which expresses the way God treats us, because he cares for all his children. I cordially bless each one of you, your loved ones and the work you do. Thank you.

Let us pray together

Our Father…

The Lord be with you …