Francis calls for investment in healthcare, 'the primary common good'

Pope Francis said May 12 that the global coronavirus pandemic has highlighted "deficiencies" in how countries provide healthcare, and called on global leaders to invest in their healthcare systems as "the primary common good."

In a letter to nurses around the world for International Nurses Day, the pontiff thanked healthcare professionals serving during the pandemic for their "testimony of courage and sacrifice … even to the point of putting their own health at risk."

Repeating a phrase the pope has used throughout the pandemic to describe frontline workers and people taking care of others in difficult situations, Francis said nurses are among the "saints next door."

"You are an image of the church as a 'field hospital' that continues to carry out the mission of Jesus Christ, who drew near to and healed people with all kinds of sickness and who stooped down to wash the feet of his disciples," the pope told nurses. "Thank you for your service to humanity!"

Francis did not specifically say how global leaders might invest in healthcare, but said they should strive "to ensure adequate care to everyone, with respect for the dignity of each person."