Pope Leo upholds ‘intrinsic dignity’ of humans after French vote for ‘assisted dying’

Pope Leo XIV called for society to “find value in human life” during his general address this week — comments that are believed to be in response to France’s recent move to legalize ‘assisted dying.’

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• During his general audience on June 4, Pope Leo XIV reinforced “the intrinsic dignity of every human person.”

• His comments, delivered in French, appear to be in response to a recent vote to legalize assisted suicide in France.

• France’s Catholic bishops have also taken a stand against legalized euthanasia, instead advocating for better palliative care.

THE DETAILS:

Pope Leo addressed the crowd in St. Peter’s Square in French, making his remarks as part of his address to different language groups.

“Our world struggles to find value in human life, even in its final hour,” he noted, adding that he prays “that the Spirit of the Lord may enlighten our minds, so that we may know how to defend the intrinsic dignity of every human person.”

The pope also touched on the value of human life during his earlier catechesis, saying “even when it seems we are able to do little in life, it is always worthwhile.”

“There is always the possibility to find meaning, because God loves our life,” he added.

Pope Leo made similar comments last month when addressing the Vatican Diplomatic Corps, saying, “No one is exempted from striving to ensure respect for the dignity of every person, especially the most frail and vulnerable, from the unborn to the elderly…”

THE BACKSTORY:

On May 27, the French National Assembly came one step closer to legalizing euthanasia in the country, as lawmakers voted 305-199 in favor of legalizing assisted suicide. The bill will next be examined by the Senate in the fall, and has the full support of French President Emanuel Macron, who has said that legalizing euthanasia is one of his presidential goals.

COMMENTARY:

Following the vote, the Catholic bishops of France released their own statement in which they said they are “deeply concerned about the consequences for French society and the alarming prospects to which a ‘right to die’ would expose the most vulnerable French people in particular,” reaffirming “their determination to carry the voice of a just and fraternal society, which protects the most vulnerable.”

They noted that 20% of French facilities are currently lacking palliative care and added that the “legislative text… would deeply undermine the social pact and the French care model, hitherto hailed and recognized all over the world.”