From February 16 to 18, 2026, the Pontifical Academy for Life is organizing its Annual Assembly in Rome entitled “Healthcare for All: Sustainability and Equity,” an international workshop dedicated to sustainability and equity in access to healthcare. The initiative, held at the Augustinianum Institute, addresses the issue of health as a universal right and aims to involve experts, practitioners, and health policy makers from around the world.
Among the participants is Monsignor Robert J. Vitillo, Senior Advisor to the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. Known for his commitment to human rights, migrants, and global health, Monsignor Vitillo was for many years Secretary General of the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC).
On this occasion, Monsignor Vitillo received the “Guardian of Life Award 2026” in recognition of his long and steadfast work in promoting human dignity, social inclusion, and the right to health for all. The award ceremony took place during the official sessions of the Assembly and was a significant moment to highlight the ethical and social value of a commitment that has had a concrete impact on the lives of many people in different countries around the world.
The Assembly is an important platform for contributing to a global debate on public health, focusing on the dignity of every person and the universal right to healthcare.