Pope Francis has urged for a worldwide prohibition on surrogacy, denouncing the practice as “deplorable” during a speech in Vatican City on Monday.
In his address, the Pope expressed strong disapproval for what he termed as “surrogate motherhood,” describing it as a serious infringement on the dignity of both women and children. He emphasized that such practices exploit the material needs of mothers and stressed that a child should always be considered a gift rather than a commodity in a commercial arrangement.
The pontiff expressed his hope that the global community would unite in efforts to universally outlaw surrogacy, highlighting the importance of preserving and defending human life at every stage of its existence.
The Catholic Church has long opposed surrogacy as well in vitro fertilization because, it said, it depersonalizes conception and disposes of some embryos, which it argues is the equivalent to abortion.
Italy, among other nations, has prohibited surrogacy, and in some countries like the United Kingdom, surrogacy is legal but subject to restrictions, with commercial surrogacy being expressly outlawed. In the United States, surrogacy laws differ from state to state.
For couples facing difficulties in conceiving and same-sex individuals or couples unable to conceive naturally, surrogacy serves as a viable avenue to parenthood.
However, ethical concerns have persisted over the years, raising questions about whether surrogacy is inherently exploitative. Pope Francis has urged
The pontiff has encountered resistance from the more conservative faction of the church due to his progressive stances on contemporary issues. This includes his openness to allowing communion for divorced and remarried Catholics, his inclusive attitude towards LGBTQ individuals, and his emphasis on addressing issues such as migration and climate change.
In a notable departure from traditional Catholic teachings, Pope Francis recently authorized Roman Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples. However, these blessings must occur outside regular Church ceremonies and not coincide with civil unions, as outlined in a Vatican document endorsed by the Pope.
While displaying a lenient stance on certain social issues, Pope Francis maintains a firm stance against abortion, equating it to hiring a “hitman to solve a problem.” Similarly, he strongly opposes surrogacy, describing it in 2022 as an “inhuman and increasingly widespread practice of the ‘rented uterus’,” expressing concerns about the exploitation of mostly economically disadvantaged women and the commodification of children.