Pope Francis Blasts Abortion: “No One Can Claim Rights Over the Life of Another Human Being”

International   |   Micaiah Bilger   |   Jan 9, 2023   |   11:21AM   |   Washington, DC

Pope Francis spoke up in defense of unborn babies’ right to life during his meeting Monday with the Vatican Diplomatic Corps, saying “no one can claim rights over the life of another human being.”

During his annual address, the pope said society cannot achieve peace unless it first protects the lives of the most vulnerable, Vatican News reports.

He called out the false notion that aborting an unborn baby is a right, and reminded the diplomats that every human being must have a protected right to life.

“No one … can claim rights over the life of another human being, especially one who is powerless and thus completely defenseless,” Pope Francis said. He appealed to the “consciences of men and women of good will, particularly those having political responsibilities, to strive to safeguard the rights of those who are weakest and to combat the throwaway culture that also, tragically, affects the sick, the disabled and the elderly.”

He went on to lament how modern society has a “fear of life” that is prompting young people to forgo marriage and childbearing, as well as abort their unborn babies, according to the report. The pope mentioned the “dangerous fall in the birthrate” in Italy and many other European nations, adding, “Fears are fueled by ignorance and prejudice, and thus easily degenerate into conflicts.”

Addressing political tension world-wide, he urged his audience to strive to build peace by recognizing the value of every human life, including unborn babies and women, the elderly and immigrants, the report continues.

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“There is a constant need to overcome partisan ways of thinking and to work for the promotion of the common good,” Pope Francis said.

The Catholic Church leader frequently speaks about the value of children, born and unborn. Last fall, he criticized the “throwaway” culture that makes abortion seem “normal.” He also angered abortion activists by comparing abortion to hiring a hitman to kill a child.

“There is the waste of children that we don’t want welcome,” he said. “It is really a murder.” Later, he added: “Is it right to eliminate, to take a human life to solve a problem? Is it right to hire a hitman to solve a problem? That’s what abortion is.”

Pope Francis also has been encouraging families to have children as birth rates drop across the world and global powers push to expand the killing of unborn babies in abortions.

However, he recently faced criticism for appointing a pro-abortion economist to the Pontifical Academy for Life, which promotes protections for human life at all stages and conducts research on moral and bioethical issues.