“We need Christians who make God’s mercy and tenderness for every creature visible today…the crisis of modern man is profound. That is why the New Evangelization while it calls us to have the courage to swim against the tide…cannot but use a language of mercy, which is expressed in gestures and attitudes even before words.” (Pope Francis, Oct 14, 2013)Care for the sick, suffering and dying is an area in need of “the courage to swim against the tide” and for development of “a language of mercy.” In February 2015, the Supreme Court of Canada decriminalized medically assisted death, including assisted suicide and euthanasia. In June 2016 with passage of Bill C-14, these practices became legal in Canada. History demonstrates the role of the corruption of language in this decision; lack of shared vocabulary on a good death ; misunderstanding of palliative care; and the need to develop a responsive and credible “language of mercy” today. It calls for Christians to “have the courage to swim against the tide” of the medicalization of human suffering and death.
“Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problems associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial, and spiritual.” (WHO)Palliative care is a philosophy of care contradictory to assisted death because it neither hastens nor prolongs dying. It is provided in homes and communities, hospices and specialized palliative care units. Palliative care focuses on the dying person and their loved ones, supporting the fullest possible participation in the ‘last things’ of good-byes, apologies and reconciliation, and expressions of love and gratitude. It provides great satisfaction and comfort for loved ones after the death. All patients should be offered a palliative approach to serious, life-threatening and terminal disease at the time of diagnosis. This approach prevents the sharp distinction between treatment focused on cure and palliative care. Persons of faith experience the same difficulties as others in acknowledging the limits of medicine. But we know acceptance of dying can initiate a precious time of grace, reconciliation and healing. Palliative care at end of life is totally compatible with the Catholic understanding of a good death as Pope Francis has recognized, “Palliative care is an expression of the properly human attitude of taking care of one another, especially of those who suffer. It bears witness that the human person is always precious, even if marked by age and sickness. The human person, in fact, in whatever circumstance, is a good in and of himself and for others and is loved by God. For this reason, when life becomes very fragile and the end of the earthly existence approaches, we feel the responsibility to assist and accompany the person in the best way.” (Pope Francis, 2015)
In this month of June, the Holy Father invites us to pray that the world might grow in compassion, that each one of us might find consolation in a personal relationship with Jesus, and from his Heart, learn to have compassion on the world.
Gianpaolo gives us a behind the scenes look at his upcoming Behold segment on the York University Catholic Chaplaincy.
On Sunday, June 8, 2025, Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass for the Jubilee of Movements, Associations, and New Communities and spoke about how the Holy Spirit helps the apostles overcome "their fear, shatters their inner chains, heals their wounds, anoints them with strength and grants them the courage to go out to all and to proclaim God’s mighty works."
Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass for the Jubilee of Families, Children, Grandparents, and the Elderly and referred to Pope Francis and mentioned spouses who have been beatified and canonized, like the parents of St. Therese of the Child Jesus.
Pope Leo XIV chose his name primarily to highlight his most recent namesake Leo XIII, whose "historic encyclical Rerum Novarum addressed the social question" to the challenges of his time. What concerns does the encyclical address? How does it speak to its time? And what has been its legacy 134 years later?