Pope Francis recently voiced a strong stance against surrogate motherhood, emphasizing its detrimental impact on human dignity.
In a speech delivered to ambassadors accredited to the Holy See, he painted a comprehensive picture of the challenges threatening global peace. These ranged from conflicts in Ukraine and Israel-Hamas to pressing issues like migration and climate crises. Amidst these grave concerns, Francis singled out the practice of surrogacy, describing it as “despicable.”
He firmly stated, “I consider despicable the practice of so-called surrogate motherhood, which represents a grave violation of the dignity of the woman and the child, based on the exploitation of situations of the mother’s material needs.”
He further highlighted the sanctity of life, declaring that a child should always be perceived as a gift and “never the basis of a commercial contract.”
In light of these convictions, Pope Francis called for decisive action. He urged for a global ban on surrogacy, emphasizing the need to “prohibit this practice universally” to protect the integrity and dignity of both women and children.
However, it’s worth noting that while Francis has consistently taken a stand against surrogacy, calling it “uterus for rent”, the Vatican has allowed for flexibility in certain circumstances, such as permitting children of same-sex parents who use surrogacy to be baptized.
| APNews
