While meeting with Pope Francis, the Grand Master spoke of the activities of the Order of Malta, underlining the ancient tradition of assistance to the poor and the sick.

Pope Francis told those present to continue their work at the Hospital with courage and hope.

The Holy Father also strongly emphasized that today's crisis is not so much a question of economics as it is of morality. "The subsequent cutting of resources is offensive to human life and threatens to regard life as a mere object of exchange," the Holy Father explained.

The Holy Father called on the participants to consider their neighbor as the "Body of Christ."

The director of the Hospital of the Order of Malta, Tiziana Frittelli, thanked the Holy Father for the strong moral support he has shown towards healthcare in general and especially to Catholic institutions, giving encouragement to continue on the mission of caring for the weak and defenseless.