We wish to recall the clear words of Pope Francis, when he explained that euthanasia, and we quote, is “a failure of love, a reflection of a ‘throwaway culture’” in which “persons
are no longer seen as a paramount value to be cared for and respected” (encyclical Fratelli Tutti, 18). Indeed, euthanasia is often, misleadingly, presented as a form of compassion. However, 'compassion', a word that means ‘to suffer with’, does not involve
ending a life intentionally, but rather the willingness to share in the suffering of those who are facing the final stages of their journey on this earth. (Message to Participants in the International Symposium on Palliative Care, Toronto, 21–23 May 2024).
Excerpt From the Pastoral Letter of the Maltese Bishops.