Pope Leo XIV said being truly “pro-life” requires opposing not only abortion but also the death penalty and mistreatment of immigrants.
Pope Leo XIV has weighed in on the United States’ ongoing abortion debate, urging a more consistent interpretation of what it means to be “pro-life.” His comments followed criticism over the Catholic Church’s decision to grant U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) a lifetime achievement award for his support of immigrants, despite his pro-choice stance.
When questioned about honoring a politician who supports abortion rights, the Pope said the pro-life movement must examine its own contradictions.
“Someone who says, ‘I’m against abortion,’ but says, ‘I’m in favor of the death penalty,’ is not really pro-life,” he said. “Someone who says that ‘I’m against abortion,’ but, ‘I’m in agreement with the inhuman treatment of immigrants… I don’t know if that’s pro-life.’”
BREAKING: Pope Leo today: “Someone who says I’m against abortion but is in favor of the death penalty is not really pro-life.” pic.twitter.com/AH0qgcbfrx
— John-Henry Westen (@JhWesten) September 30, 2025
He called for “greater respect for one another” and urged Catholics to approach ethical issues with consistency and compassion.
The remarks were raised at Wednesday’s White House briefing, where Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt rejected claims of “inhuman treatment” of migrants.
Reporter: Pope Leo said that someone who says they are against abortion but in agreement with the inhumane treatment of immigrants in the United States, I don’t know if that is pro life.
Leavitt: I would reject there is inhumane treatment of illegal immigrants under this… pic.twitter.com/ylne5gu1jh
— Acyn (@Acyn) October 1, 2025
THIS WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED AT MEDIAITE