Audience with His Holiness | News

Captured during an audience at the Vatican, Professor Aftab Ala is seen shaking hands with Pope Leo XIV after being invited to give a presentation at an event bringing together global leaders in healthcare.

The invitation to Professor Ala, a leading consultant gastroenterologist and hepatologist, recognises his significant national and international research into health system improvement, equity, and the role of faith in healthcare.

Professor Ala was invited to discuss his work at a two‑day workshop on Healthcare for All: Sustainability and Equity, organised by the Pontifical Academy.

As part of his research, Professor Ala explored how culturally sensitive messaging can improve the uptake of healthcare interventions among minority ethnic populations, supporting earlier disease detection and reducing inequality in access and outcomes.

By using culturally tuned-in communications through trusted community and faith networks, Professor Ala’s work explored how to bridge gaps in trust, access, and engagement, ensuring acceptability and sustainability.

Professor Ala said: “It was an honour to meet His Holiness and to present my research to a group of Vatican academics. As a result, I’ve been given some homework to do by His Holiness and will now be convening a working group to see how we can use faith leaders from across different religions to help reduce inequalities in healthcare access.

“My work brings together faith and practical healthcare models, and I am pleased that the Vatican is interested in exploring how these approaches can be developed and shared globally.”