Reiterating that human life is sacred and inviolable, Pope Francis told the Italian pro-life group Movimento per la Vita today that it is “necessary to reiterate the strongest opposition to any direct attack on life, especially innocent and defenseless, and [the mother’s] unborn child in the womb is the innocent par excellence.”
In his remarks Pope Francis quoted from Gaudium et Spes [“The Gospel of Joy”] from the Second Vatican Council: “From the moment of its conception, life must be guarded with the greatest care while abortion and infanticide are unspeakable crimes.”
Picking up on theme he has emphasized repeatedly, Pope Francis further noted, “If you look at life as something that is consumed, it will also be something that sooner or later you can throw away,” beginning with abortion.
Human life is “a gift from God,” he said. If it is accepted as such, “then you have before you a valuable and intangible asset, to be protected by all means and not to be discarded.”
Vatican Radio reported that
“Pope Francis also showed gratitude for two specific activities of the Pro-Life Movement: The ‘Gemma Project,’ which works with woman facing crisis pregnancies; and the ‘One of Us’ Campaign, which is a European Union Citizens’ Initiative requesting the prohibition of EU financing of activities which involve the destruction of human embryos, especially in the areas of research, development cooperation and public health.”
Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church, has consistently spoken out against abortion and infanticide, labeling them as “unspeakable crimes” and affirming the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death.
In his role as Pope, Francis has reiterated the Church’s longstanding teaching on the intrinsic value and dignity of every human life. He has emphasized that abortion, the deliberate termination of a pregnancy, and infanticide, the killing of newborn infants, are grave violations of the fundamental right to life.
The Pope’s condemnation of abortion and infanticide is grounded in the belief that human life is a gift from God and that every person, regardless of their stage of development or circumstances, possesses inherent worth and dignity. Francis has repeatedly called upon society to recognize and respect the sacredness of life, urging individuals and communities to protect and defend the most vulnerable members of society.
Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis has used his platform to advocate for a culture of life and to promote alternatives to abortion, such as support for pregnant women in difficult situations and greater access to resources and services for families. He has emphasized the importance of compassion and solidarity in addressing the root causes of abortion, including poverty, social inequality, and lack of support for parents.
Pope Francis’ vocal opposition to abortion and infanticide has sparked debate and controversy, particularly in societies where abortion is legally and culturally accepted. However, he has remained steadfast in his commitment to upholding the sanctity of life and challenging the prevailing attitudes and practices that devalue human life.
As Pope Francis continues to lead the Catholic Church, his condemnation of abortion and infanticide serves as a reminder of the moral imperative to protect and defend the most vulnerable members of society. His words carry weight not only within the Catholic community but also resonate with people of faith and goodwill around the world who share his commitment to promoting a culture of life and building a more just and compassionate society.
Chelsea Garcia is a political writer with a special interest in international relations and social issues. Events surrounding the war in Ukraine and the war in Israel are a major focus for political journalists. But as a former local reporter, she is also interested in national politics.
Chelsea Garcia studied media, communication and political science in Texas, USA, and learned the journalistic trade during an internship at a daily newspaper. In addition to her political writing, she is pursuing a master's degree in multimedia and writing at Texas.
