The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith grounds care for people in critical and terminal illness in the dignity of every person created in God’s image and in Christ’s solidarity with human suffering on the Cross. It presents the Good Samaritan as the model for integrated physical, psychological, spiritual, and pastoral care, and identifies utilitarian “quality of life” judgments, distorted compassion, and radical individualism as threats to solidarity.

Euthanasia and assisted suicide are declared intrinsically evil, while refusing disproportionate or futile treatment may accept the natural approach of death. Ordinary care, including nutrition, hydration, and pain relief, is obligatory while the body can benefit from it; artificial nutrition and hydration may be stopped when they become ineffective or excessively burdensome. Palliative care, hospice, family support, and suitable care for disabled or terminally ill children are strongly affirmed. Sedation is permitted when intended to relieve suffering, never when intended to cause death. Patients in vegetative or minimally conscious states retain their dignity and claim to appropriate care. Catholic institutions and healthcare workers must refuse cooperation with euthanasia, and governments should protect conscientious objection. Prayer, the sacraments, formation, and compassionate accompaniment help the dying face death with hope; sacramental absolution requires genuine repentance from a persistent choice of euthanasia.