First American pope in history has strong record of defending sanctity of human life

The new papal conclave to select the successor of Pope Francis, who died last month at age 88, has concluded by producing the the first American pope in Church history. Francis, born Jorge Bergoglio, was originally from Argentina and had been the first pope named from the Americas.

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, now known as Pope Leo XIV, was named after just four votes. Pope Leo, age 69, is originally from Chicago, Illinois, one of the most pro-abortion cities in the United States. Yet Leo, like his predecessor, has been outspoken about the need to protect all lives, including those of preborn children. He spent many years as a missionary and bishop in Peru and holds both Peruvian and American citizenship.

Some have posted to X with examples of the new pope’s history in support of the pro-life cause:

Samuel Lee

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Want to know how long the new pope has been active in pro-life? Cardinal Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, was co-founder of the campus right-to-life organization “Villanovans for Life”—the oldest college pro-life club in the U.S. (he was Class of 1977)! vugroups.campuslabs.com/engage/organiz…

8:18 PM · May 8, 2025

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Catherine Hadro

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And in a sentence I never thought I would write - Pope Leo XIV once retweeted my husband’s news article.

6:18 PM · May 8, 2025

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Jennie Bradley Lichter

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Love that our new Pope is a marcher for Life! 🎉🎈👏

7:12 PM · May 8, 2025

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Live Action founder and president Lila Rose also responded to the announcement of Pope Leo XIV in a livestream, reacting to the conclave results.

The New Pope Is American!

“Listen, I see people in the chat saying, well, is this a progressive Pope? Is this a conservative Pope? And guys, it doesn’t matter what political label, depending on what statement he makes, you might want to give him one day or the next,” Rose said. “… [T]he Pope cannot change matters of faith and morals from the seat of Peter. So that’s true north. And God in his providence is going to use this new Pope. Have confidence in that.”

The Catholic Church has always held that abortion is a grave sin; as the catechism explains:

Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable.

Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law: You shall not kill the embryo by abortion and shall not cause the newborn to perish. God, the Lord of life, has entrusted to men the noble mission of safeguarding life, and men must carry it out in a manner worthy of themselves.

Life must be protected with the ut­most care from the moment of conception: abortion and infanticide are abominable crimes. Formal cooperation in an abortion constitutes a grave offense.

Editor’s Note, 5/8/25: We removed the link to and contents of a tweet previously contained in this article after the author of the tweet retracted it.