Doctors must be servants of life, and “there is no human life more sacred than another, as there is no human life more significant than another,” Pope Francis has told a group of doctors.

In an audience yesterday in Rome with members of the International Federation of Catholic Medical Associations the Pope said, “the first right of the human person is his life,” Vatican Radio reports.

He noted that there was the danger that a doctor might lose his identity as a servant of life.  

Pope Francis explained that “if you lose the personal and social sensitivity towards the acceptance of a new life, then other forms of acceptance that are valuable for society also wither away.”  

He added that the acceptance of life strengthens moral fibre, before adding that the final objective of the doctor is always the defense and promotion of life.

Speaking of a “culture of waste” which he said enslaves the hearts and minds of many, he said that the cost was the elimination of human beings, especially if they are physically or socially weaker.  

He stressed that every child that is not born, but unjustly condemned to be aborted and the very elderly person who is sick or at the end of his life bears the face of Christ.

The Pope also underlined the important role gynecologists have which requires study, a conscience and humanity.

In his third and final point the Holy Father said the mandate of Catholic doctors is “to be witnesses and promoters of the “culture of life”. The Lord, he said is counting on you to spread the “Gospel of life.”

Pope Francis concluded his remarks by saying, “there is no human life more sacred than another, as there is no human life more significant than another. The credibility of a health care system is measured not only for its efficiency, but also for the attention and love towards people, whose life is always sacred.