According to the Sun-Times

The new stance shuts off centuries of theological debate in the church and will require revision in directives on end-of-life care at more than 565 hospitals in the Catholic Health Association.

It could lead to conflict and confusion over the validity of advance directives many people have drawn up saying they do not want medical treatments to prolong their life under specified circumstances.

Until now, many Catholic ethicists considered feeding tubes for people with no brain function to be ”medical treatment” that could be provided or discontinued based on evaluating the benefits and burdens it placed on the patient and family.

Now, the pope declares such support ”basic care” and says removing feeding tubes is ”euthanasia by omission.”