Pope: Against abortion, in favour of the death penalty? Not really "pro-life"

Pope Leo XIV has spoken out against the abbreviated and one-sided use of arguments from Christian moral teaching in politics. Commenting on the controversial honouring of US Senator Dick Durbin by the Archbishop of Chicago, Cardinal Blase Cupich, the Pope said that one should "consider the entire political work of a senator who has served in the United States Senate for 40 years".

He was responding to accusations by several conservative US bishops who had sharply criticised such an honour for Durbin. He is to be honoured by the Archdiocese of Chicago in November for his commitment to migrants. In other debates, he had distinguished himself as a supporter of impunity for abortion.

Pope calls for a balanced judgement

The Pope said that he understood the "difficulties and tensions" involved, but that it was "important to consider many of the questions related to the teachings of the Church". For example, it is not really "pro-life" to say "I am against abortion" but "in favour of the death penalty". Similarly, one must ask whether someone is a defender of life if they "agree with the inhumane treatment of immigrants in the USA".

In conclusion, the Pope said: "These are very complex questions. I don't know if anyone knows the whole truth about them, but I would ask above all that there be more mutual respect and that we try together, as human beings - in this case as American citizens or citizens of the state of Illinois - and also as Catholics, to say, 'We really need to look closely at all these ethical issues and find the way we want to go as a Church.' The Church's teaching on each of these issues is clear."

The Pope responded to reporters' questions on Tuesday evening outside his second residence in Castel Gandolfo, where he had spent Tuesday as usual. The "Vatican News" portal published the wording of his answers on Wednesday morning. (KNA)