Pope Advocates Global Prohibition of Surrogacy in Comprehensive Assessment of Threats to Peace and Human Dignity
On Monday, Pope Francis urged for a worldwide prohibition on the “deplorable” act of surrogate motherhood, denouncing the “commercialization” of pregnancy in his annual address highlighting global threats to peace and human dignity. During a foreign policy speech to ambassadors accredited to the Holy See, Francis expressed sorrow that the year 2024 commenced amid a period in history where peace is “constantly jeopardized.”
Highlighting Russia’s conflict in Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas war, migration and climate crises, as well as the “immoral” manufacturing of nuclear and conventional weapons, Pope Francis presented an extensive catalog of global challenges. He emphasized the escalating disregard for international humanitarian law permitting these issues.
In addition to major geopolitical concerns, Pope Francis addressed smaller-scale threats to peace and human dignity, including his condemnation of surrogacy. He underscored the need to safeguard the lives of unborn children, rejecting the “despicable” practice of surrogate motherhood. According to Francis, such practices constitute a serious violation of women’s and children’s dignity, exploiting the material needs of mothers and turning the unborn into objects of trafficking.
Saying a child is a gift and ” and ” he called for a global ban on surrogacy “to prohibit this practice universally.” never the basis of a commercial contract.
Before, Pope Francis has expressed the Catholic Church’s opposition to what he terms “uterus for rent,” a sentiment shared by certain European nations like Spain and Italy, where surrogacy is prohibited. Simultaneously, the Vatican’s doctrine office has clarified that children of homosexual parents who opt for surrogacy are allowed to undergo baptism.
Addressing various humanitarian and refugee crises in Africa, the Pope condemned military coups and elections in several African nations, highlighting issues of corruption, intimidation, and violence without explicitly naming the countries involved.
Additionally, he advocated for a “respectful diplomatic dialogue” with the Nicaraguan government to address what he termed a “protracted crisis.” The government’s crackdown on the Catholic Church has led to the detention of numerous priests and bishops, with accusations of the church supporting protests deemed by the government as an attempted coup.
The Pope also called for the prompt resumption of Iran nuclear talks, emphasizing the importance of securing a safer future for all. Expressing concern over Iran’s increased production of near-weapons-grade uranium, he underscored the immorality of both possessing and manufacturing nuclear weapons. This stance aligns with his prior adjustment of church teaching, declaring the possession of nuclear weapons as inadmissible. On Monday, he expanded his criticism to include the production of such weapons within his broader condemnation of the weapons industry.
