In a videomessage for this year’s ALS ‘Walk for Life’, Pope Leo says that “the quality of human life is not dependent on achievement”, but “on love”.
By Mario Galgano
Pope Leo XIV has addressed participants in this year’s ALS ‘Walk for Life’, organized by the Les Turner ALS Foundation in Chicago.
In a video message, the Pope spoke on Saturday to researchers, caregivers, family members, and individuals living with ALS, saying that he is “filled with admiration and gratefulness” for the scientists and researchers who work to better understand motor neurone diseases and alleviate the suffering they cause.
Pope Leo recalled the Jewish concept of tikkun olam, the healing of creation, and quoted Pope John Paul II: “If an artist cannot be stopped from using his creativity, neither should those who possess particular gifts for the advancement of science and technology be prevented from using their God-given talents for the service of others.”
The Pope especially praised the caregivers who are there for people with ALS every day: “As our Muslim friends share, in the Hadith, we are told that 70,000 angels are present when caretakers arrive in the morning. 70,000 other angels arrive in the evening. I believe that you too are angels.”
What is ALS?
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an incurable, progressive neurological disease.
It destroys nerve cells, known as motor neurons, which are responsible for controlling the muscles. This leads to progressive muscle weakness and atrophy, as the nerves can no longer adequately “nourish” the muscles.
As a result, paralysis occurs, severely limiting the affected person’s ability to perform everyday movements. The name of the disease comes from Greek and Latin origins and describes its symptoms: “Amyotrophic” means the muscles not nourished enough, “lateral” refers to the location of nerve pathways in the spinal cord, and “sclerosis” stands for hardening of the affected tissue.
Courage
The Pope also offered words of encouragement to those affected: “You have a special place in my thoughts and prayers. You have been given a very difficult burden to bear … Your sufferings, however, offer you an opportunity to discover and affirm a profound truth: The quality of human life is not dependent on achievement. The quality of our lives is dependent on love.”
He also extended words of hope to grieving family members: “Death is not the final word. Love conquers death.”
Bringing his address to a close, the Pope recognized the decades-long commitment of Harvey and Bonnie Gaffen, who keep the memory of Les Turner alive: “All these people are here because of you — the greatness of your heart.”
