Through the testimony of Raphaël Pitti, anaesthesiologist and intensive-care physician and former military doctor, emerges the portrait of a man driven by faith, humanism and an unfailing commitment to the victims of war. In this moving video produced by Net for God, he traces the stages of his vocation, his life choices shaped by the pain of conflict and his deep need to act.
A vocation born of pain
Born in Oran in 1950, into an Italian family who were refugees from Algeria, Raphaël Pitti was marked by the violence of war from childhood. At 15, a spontaneous declaration to a friend proved prophetic: “I’m going to be a doctor.” This ambition stayed with him despite his family’s financial difficulties.
Military doctor and formative experiences
After medical studies geared towards nephrology, he discovered his true passion for intensive care and emergency medicine, notably in the army. There he became a military doctor, completed commando training and learned to push beyond his physical and mental limits. This ordeal shaped his resilience and his faith in life.
His experience in Djibouti, notably with Sister Marthe, a devoted nurse, strengthened his human and spiritual side. There he discovered the power of closeness to patients, especially in situations of great hardship.
A concrete, lasting humanitarian commitment
Raphaël Pitti works in war zones: Syria, Ukraine, Gaza. He does not just treat patients; he also trains health workers. With UOSSM International, he founded training centres for doctors and nurses in extreme conditions. He remembers with emotion a young Syrian who said to him after a course: “Why did you come so late?” — a poignant reminder of the value of passing on knowledge.
Faith as a driving force
A convinced Christian, he rejects passive faith. For him, “being a Christian is a daily commitment”. Christ, in his anger against injustice, inspires him to act with indignation against inaction. His missions are a concrete response to this spiritual call: bringing help and justice, especially where violence and chaos reign.
Facing death, with trust
Exposed to death several times — during the Gulf War, in Syria, on commando missions — he speaks of moments of grace when he felt the presence of God. Freed from the fear of dying, he has adopted a philosophy based on three words: trust, patience and consistency.
Testimony of a life of service
Today, Raphaël Pitti continues to act. He encourages young doctors to go on humanitarian missions, even if only for a week a year. For him, that is where the meaning of being a doctor is fully revealed: healing, listening, relieving. In the eyes of the most vulnerable, he rediscovers the very essence of humanity.
Conclusion
Raphaël Pitti’s journey is not only that of a doctor or a committed Christian. It is the story of a man in search of meaning, guided by a living faith, who chooses to put his skills at the service of those who suffer. Through this testimony, he calls on us not to look away, to awaken our consciences and to act with heart and courage.
