Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has reminded cardiologists from around the world that the true healing of the human heart goes beyond medical expertise, calling it a mission that blends scientific innovation with deep compassion and moral responsibility. The Pope was addressing participants of the Paris Course on Revascularisation, who visited the Vatican during the Jubilee of Hope.
Welcoming the specialists, the Pope acknowledged their vital role in advancing interventional cardiology a field he described as standing “at the crossroads of science, compassion, and ethical responsibility.” He praised their efforts to push the boundaries of cardiovascular care, noting that their work directly touches the core of human life.
Pope Leo emphasized that every medical intervention finds its true meaning when grounded in the “service of life.” Drawing inspiration from Evangelium Vitae, he highlighted Christ's boundless tenderness toward the sick as the guiding model for today’s medical professionals, especially those dealing with life-threatening heart diseases.
“You seek to heal the heart,” the Pope said, pointing to the dual meaning of their vocation. While they repair the physical heart, they also touch the symbolic center of human existence where life, dignity, and vulnerability intersect. Each heartbeat entrusted to them, he noted, should remind them that human life “is always a gift, always a mystery to be reverenced.”
The Pope urged the cardiologists to actively strengthen global cooperation, stressing that scientific breakthroughs must benefit all of humanity not just those with financial means. He cautioned against allowing cutting-edge cardiovascular treatments to become luxuries available only to the privileged.
“Let your knowledge be shared generously,” he urged, insisting that advancements in cardiac interventions remain accessible “especially to the poor and marginalized,” who often face barriers to essential healthcare.
In closing, Pope Leo entrusted their work to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, whom he invoked as the “physician of souls and bodies.” He prayed that the cardiologists be blessed with “courage, perseverance, and joy” as they continue their demanding work, and expressed hope that their organization would uphold a union of scientific excellence and sincere service to humanity.
The visit concluded with a special papal blessing, reaffirming the Church’s support for those who dedicate their lives to protecting one of humanity’s most vital organs the heart.