The FEAMC Presidency, prof. Rok Čivljak, president of FEAMC, prof. Frans van Ittersum, secretary-general of FEAMC, prof. Jozef Glasa, vice-president of FEAMC, and prof. Vincenzo Defilippis, immediate past president of FEAMC, participated in an audience with Pope Leo XIV held on 16 February 2026 in the Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. The audience took place on the occasion of the Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Academy for Life and the conference entitled “Health Care for All: Sustainability and Equity.”
Pope Leo XIV received all members of the Academy and conference participants during the regular annual meeting of the Academy. On this occasion, the Holy Father addressed those present with a formal speech, after which all attendees had the opportunity to greet him personally.
Prof. Čivljak presented the Pope with a copy of the document “Pastoral Care in Health Care: A Priority for the Church Today and in the Future – Reflections and Proposals from the FEAMC Presidency.” The document was issued by the Presidency of the European Federation of Catholic Medical Associations on the occasion of the Extraordinary Consistory of Cardinals held on 7–8 January 2026 in the Vatican. It outlines constructive proposals for the further development of pastoral care in healthcare settings. The Holy Father listened with interest to the FEAMC President.
The conclusions of this conference of the Pontifical Academy for Life will undoubtedly contribute to improving care for the most vulnerable groups, especially patients.
