The Vatican is hosting a three-day virtual conference on health care that features a diverse panel of physicians, scientists faith leaders, philanthropists, CEOs and influencers.
Entitled “Exploring the Mind, Body & Soul. How Innovation and Novel Delivery Systems Improve Human Health,” the conference is being held on May 6-8 in conjunction with the Cura Foundation, an organization that aims to improve global health and quality of life.
According to the conference’s website, the agenda will explore taking a holistic approach to health care issues — one in which the role of science, psychology, religion and the arts all play a role.
“Together, they will focus on advances in medical innovation and seek to catalyze the creation of new, interdisciplinary approaches and partnerships for curing disease and improving health, wellbeing and understanding human uniqueness. Participants will explore the role of religion, faith and spirituality, and the interplay of mind, body and soul and look for areas of convergence between the humanities and the natural sciences,” reads the Vatican's description of the conference's agenda.
The Fifth International Conference was originally scheduled to take place at the Vatican last year, but was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Having delayed proceedings, the pandemic will now feature heavily in the conference’s agenda. Dr. Anthony Fauci opened the session on Thursday, and Moderna CEO Stehane Bancel and Pfizer’s Albert Bourla are scheduled to discuss vaccine technology and how to address future global health crises.
The eclectic mix of panelists is scheduled to include alternative medicine advocate Deepak Chopra, Chelsea Clinton of the Clinton foundation, and model Cindy Crawford, who will be discussing “beauty from the inside out,” according to an Associated Press report.
Soprano Renée Fleming is set to talk about the role of music in treating cardiac patients. Panel discussions are also scheduled to include conservationist Jane Goodall, and Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry, who will join a Harvard neuroscientist in a discussion about brain health and rock stars.
Pope Francis will address the conference at its conclusion with a pre-recorded video message.
