On euthanasiaThe rights and values ​​inherent to the human person occupy an important position in contemporary problems. In this regard, the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council solemnly reaffirmed the excellent dignity of the human person and, in particular, his right to life. For this reason he denounced crimes against life, such as "murders of all kinds, genocide, abortion, euthanasia and deliberate suicide itself" (Gaudium et Spes, 27). Having recalled the doctrine on procured abortion, he deems it appropriate to now propose the Church's teaching on the problem of euthanasia. In fact, although the principles enunciated in this field by recent Popes continue to be valid, medicine has made progress. In recent years, new aspects of the problem of euthanasia have emerged which must be further specified in their ethical content. In today's society, in which the very fundamental values ​​of human life are often questioned, the modification of culture affects the way in which we consider suffering and death; Medicine has increased its ability to cure and prolong life in certain conditions that sometimes pose moral problems. For this reason, men who live in such an environment anxiously question the meaning of prolonged old age and death, consequently asking themselves whether they have the right to grant themselves or their peers a "sweet death", which would serve to shorten the pain and would, according to them, be more in keeping with human dignity. Various Episcopal Conferences have consulted this Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in this regard, which, after having requested the opinion of experts on the various aspects of the question. on euthanasia, wants to respond with this Declaration to the requests of the bishops, to help them correctly orient the faithful and offer them elements of reflection that they can present to the civil authorities regarding this very serious problem. The question proposed in this document concerns above all those who place their faith and hope in Christ, who with his life, death and resurrection has given a new meaning to the existence and above all to the death of the Christian, according to the words of Saint Paul: «if in fact we live, we live by the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord.