By Kaitlyn Schaeffer
Earlier this month, 80 experts from the Transplantation Committee of the Council of Europe (CD-P-TO) gathered in Rome to confer with Pope Francis over the ongoing organ trafficking crisis. Pope Francis has been outspoken against the illegal organ trade and has called upon people to be more generous with donating their organs. Pope Francis supports organ donation in cases of brain death, stressing that such donations should be seen as an act of love for one’s neighbor.

“It’s the first time that a Pope expresses a scientific point of view when talking about brain death determination. An organized system against illegal trafficking is a sign of love and civilization,” said Gualtiero Ricciardi, the Commissioner of the Istituto Superiore di Sanita.

“The Pope’s words were important for all of us who strongly believe in the value of organ donation as a gesture of solidarity. The brain death is the death of a subject; the determination of death by neurological criteria that is followed in Italy provides for the most guaranteeing procedures of the world,” added Alessandro Nanni Costa, Director of the National Transplant Center.

On October 11th, the delegation hosted the XVI European Day for Organ Donation. The events included an institutional ceremony, several informational activities and initiatives, and a concert at the Auditorium Conciliazione.

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