Artur Hanula
The fight against HIV/AIDS is yielding results worldwide, evidenced by a decline in new infections observed since 2010, particularly pronounced in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, many people, especially in developing countries, still lack access to antiretroviral therapy, and children remain particularly vulnerable – as many as 12% of the victims of this disease are children, even though they constitute only 3% of those infected with the virus in childhood. Such a dramatic statement was included by the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the UN in New York in a speech delivered on July 10 during a high-level meeting on HIV/AIDS – Vatican News reports.
High-quality care protects mothers and children
In this regard, Msgr. Marco Formica, acting head of the Mission, appealed for adequate testing and continuous treatment, starting with at-risk mothers and mothers living with HIV, because “high-quality antenatal, perinatal, and postnatal care protects both mothers and their children.” For the Holy See, it is therefore crucial to ensure “early diagnosis and continuous access to treatment for children living with HIV, using age-appropriate formulations.”
The role of Catholic healthcare
In turn, as assured by the Permanent Observer Mission, Catholic healthcare facilities, “which provide about a quarter of HIV-related care worldwide,” will continue to fulfill their responsibilities to ensure that all people living with HIV “receive care and support with respect for their inherent human dignity.”
Increasing access to antiretroviral therapies
In his speech, Msgr. Formica explained that the Holy See “appreciates the progress made in HIV and AIDS prevention and treatment over the past five years, as well as the tremendous progress generally achieved since the first high-level meeting on this topic in 2001.” Thanks to antiretroviral therapy, currently “people with HIV can live longer and lead healthier lives.” However, the Holy See emphasized that intersectoral partnerships, which “have played a key role in reducing costs and increasing access to therapies,” need to be further strengthened.
In the name of human dignity – equal healthcare for all
The Permanent Observer Mission therefore condemned the fact that many people worldwide still lack access to healthcare and that strengthening healthcare systems and developing capacities for research, development, innovation, and medical production in developing countries “are essential to ensuring equal care and treatment for all, ultimately contributing to the promotion and protection of human dignity, which is a gift from God.”
This is precisely what Pope Leo XIV appealed for during his visit to the “De La Croix” hospital in Jal ed Dib, Lebanon, in December 2025, saying: “We cannot imagine a society that rushes at full speed, clinging to false myths of prosperity, ignoring many situations of poverty and weakness.”
