Pope Leo drew a parallel between the protective role of angels and the doctor-patient relationship in medicine, emphasizing the importance of personal touch
Newsroom (02/10/2025, Gaudium Press) Addressing the Latin Ibero-American and Caribbean Medical Confederation (CONFEMEL) on Thursday, October 2, 2025, Pope Leo XIV underscored the irreplaceable value of human connection in healthcare, cautioning that artificial intelligence (AI), while a powerful tool, can never supplant the personal presence of a doctor.
Welcoming over two million physicians from Latin America, the Iberian Peninsula, and the Caribbean to the Vatican, the Pope expressed gratitude for their unwavering dedication to quality healthcare. “Thank you for this tireless work,” he said, commending their commitment to a vocation rooted in compassion and service.
A Call to Preserve the Human Dimension
Coinciding with the Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels, Pope Leo drew a parallel between the protective role of angels and the doctor-patient relationship, emphasizing the importance of personal contact. Quoting Saint Augustine’s words, “Ipse medicus, ipse medicamentum” (“He is both physician and medicine”), he described Jesus as the ultimate healer, whose incarnate presence exemplifies the therapeutic power of dialogue and physical touch.
“Dialogue, communication, and physical contact must always be present in the therapeutic relationship, beyond the instruments and tools used to treat illnesses,” the Pope urged.
The Healing Power of Touch
Reflecting on the Gospel account of Jesus healing a leper (Mark 1:40–42), Pope Leo highlighted the transformative nature of personal connection. “This is not a mechanical gesture,” he said, noting that Jesus’ touch established a profound relationship, offering both physical healing and spiritual salvation. “The one who could not be touched finds health and salvation in a caress from Jesus.”
The Pope also invoked the legacy of Blessed José Gregorio Hernández, a revered Venezuelan physician of the early 20th century known as the “doctor of the poor.” Hernández, he noted, exemplified medical excellence paired with selfless dedication to the marginalized, serving as a model for today’s practitioners.
AI’s Role: A Tool, Not a Substitute
Addressing the rise of artificial intelligence in medicine, Pope Leo acknowledged its potential to enhance clinical care. However, he firmly cautioned against over-reliance on technology. Quoting Pope Benedict XVI, he described doctors as “reservoirs of love, bringing serenity and hope to those who suffer.”
“An algorithm can never replace a gesture of closeness or a word of comfort,” he emphasized, urging physicians to prioritize human connection over technological solutions.
A Message of Hope
In closing, Pope Leo recognized the “great and stimulating challenges” facing the medical community and encouraged professionals to meet them with hope. Invoking Christ as “our hope” and the Blessed Virgin Mary as the “Health of the Sick,” he blessed their mission, likening their work to a pilgrimage toward divine fulfillment.
The Pope’s address resonated as a powerful reminder of medicine’s sacred calling, blending spiritual wisdom with a timely reflection on technology’s role in healthcare.
- Raju Hasmukh with files form Vatican News
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