US EditionPope Leo XIV: Support for death penalty is ‘not really pro-life’
Pope Leo XIV emphasized that true pro-life belief opposes both abortion and the death penalty, reflecting official church doctrine against capital punishment.
- On October 1, 2025, Pope Leo XIV intervened in a U.S. Catholic Church dispute, saying those opposing abortion but supporting the death penalty are not really pro-life.
- Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich planned to honor Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin for immigrant work at the Keep Hope Alive Benefit 2025 on November 3, drawing objections from conservative bishops over Durbin's abortion support.
- Church teaching makes clear it opposes both abortion and capital punishment, and Pope Leo XIV urged greater mutual respect and a collective search for understanding on ethical issues.
- Senator Dick Durbin, U.S. Senator, declined the award after the dispute, while Cardinal Blase Cupich, Cardinal of Chicago, said polarization has left U.S. Catholics politically homeless.
- Amid heightened debate, Pope Leo XIV's remarks intensified disputes within the American Catholic Church about 'pro-life' and sparked backlash from commentator Matt Walsh.
29 Articles
29 Articles
No Pro-Life Voice on CNN Panel On Pope Leo on Abortion and Death Penalty
It's a matter of logic. If you're not pro-life if you oppose abortion but support the death penalty, then you're not pro-life if you oppose the death penalty but support abortion. But it's not clear that Pope Leo embraces that logic. And no one on the panel on today's CNN This Morning did Substitute host Erica Hill kicked off the conversation by playing a clip of Pope Leo expressing support for Dem Sen. Dick Durbin. He was scheduled to receive …
Pope Leo XIV Advocates for a More Robust Definition of 'Pro-Life'
This week, Pope Leo XIV reminded people that being pro-life extends far beyond just opposing abortion, pointing specifically to the death penalty and the treatment of immigrants as equally central to the Catholic Church’s teaching on life issues. “Someone who says ‘I’m against abortion but is in favor of the death penalty’ is not really pro-life,” Leo told reporters Wednesday. “And someone who says ‘I’m against abortion but I’m in agreement with…
MAGA Meltdown Over Pope Leo XIV Remarks On Abortion, Death Penalty
In a rare moment of direct commentary on American politics, Pope Leo XIV ignited a firestorm among conservative Catholics and MAGA-aligned figures after defending Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich’s decision to honor longtime Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) — a pro-choice Democrat — for his decades of public service.Speaking to reporters at the Vatican on Tuesday night, Pope Leo XIV called for a broader, more consistent interpretation of Catholic social tea…
Journal Gazette & Times-Courier
Pope intervenes in US abortion debate by raising what it really means to be 'pro-life'
Pope Leo XIV has intervened for the first time in an abortion dispute roiling the U.S. Catholic Church. Leo was asked late Tuesday about plans by Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich to give a lifetime achievement award to Illinois Senator Dick…
“Someone who says ‘I am against abortion but I am in favour of the death penalty’ is not really pro-life,” the Pontiff said.
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