ESC: Pope Backs Medical Research in Historic Speech
Addresses cardiology meeting in Rome
ROME -- Rain and thunder did not stop Pope Francis from blessing cardiology
research and medical care in a speech given at the European Society of
Cardiology (ESC)'s annual meeting.
research and medical care in a speech given at the European Society of
Cardiology (ESC)'s annual meeting.
"You look after the heart. How much symbolism is enshrined in this world!
How many hopes are contained in this human organ! In your hands you
hold the beating core of the human body, and as such your responsibility
is very great!" said the 266th Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church.
How many hopes are contained in this human organ! In your hands you
hold the beating core of the human body, and as such your responsibility
is very great!" said the 266th Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church.
He stated his support for science and research, emphasizing that asking
questions is crucial to understanding reality and the origin of man.
questions is crucial to understanding reality and the origin of man.
"The sciences alone, however, whether natural or physical, are not
sufficient to understand the mystery contained within each person.
When man is viewed in his totality -- allow me to emphasize this point
-- we are able to have a profound understanding of the poorest, those
most in need, and the marginalized," he continued.
sufficient to understand the mystery contained within each person.
When man is viewed in his totality -- allow me to emphasize this point
-- we are able to have a profound understanding of the poorest, those
most in need, and the marginalized," he continued.
Following his speech, Pope Francis received a gift from Fausto J. Pinto, MD,
PhD, current president of the ESC: his very own red stethoscope.
PhD, current president of the ESC: his very own red stethoscope.
"I am very impressed that the pope would speak to such a large group of healers.
To my knowledge, no other religious leaders have ever addressed a cardiology
meeting like this. For those following him, this is a very strong message,"
commented E. Magnus Ohman, MBBS, of Duke University School of Medicine,
in an email. "Quite unique."
To my knowledge, no other religious leaders have ever addressed a cardiology
meeting like this. For those following him, this is a very strong message,"
commented E. Magnus Ohman, MBBS, of Duke University School of Medicine,
in an email. "Quite unique."
A surprise addition to the ESC Congress program, the pope's visit on the last
day required attendees to arrive early before entrances to the Fiera di Roma
were closed for security. It was clear that most of the conference's 35,000
attendees did not see the pope, however.
day required attendees to arrive early before entrances to the Fiera di Roma
were closed for security. It was clear that most of the conference's 35,000
attendees did not see the pope, however.
The mood was tense from a cold and rainy morning, with many attendees
jostling to be as close to the pope as possible. Chairs were abandoned as
people rushed to the waist-high safety barriers -- which, apparently, were
the only things physically separating attendees from the pope when he arrived
by golf cart at the outdoor stage.
jostling to be as close to the pope as possible. Chairs were abandoned as
people rushed to the waist-high safety barriers -- which, apparently, were
the only things physically separating attendees from the pope when he arrived
by golf cart at the outdoor stage.
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