Pope Francis reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s commitment to protecting life and supporting individuals with disabilities during a Vatican meeting with the Jérôme Lejeune Foundation. The Pope highlighted the work of the late Professor Jérôme Lejeune, a geneticist known for discovering the cause of Down syndrome, and previously declared him “venerable” – a step towards potential sainthood. The meeting underscored the Church’s opposition to practices perceived as undermining the value of human life, particularly concerning those with genetic conditions. The Jérôme Lejeune Foundation focuses on research and advocacy for individuals with genetic intellectual disabilities. Pope Francis emphasized that medicine should not be used to facilitate planned death, framing the issue as a defense of life itself. This support signals continued Church advocacy for vulnerable populations and bioethical considerations.