Pope urges Britons and Irish to reject euthanasia
The head of the Catholic Church has expressed concern over legislative initiatives that threaten the dignity of human life.
In a message marking the "Day for Life," celebrated annually by the bishops' conferences of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, Pope Leo XIV spoke out against the legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide.
The pontiff voiced particular concern over a new bill on assisted suicide scheduled for debate in the UK Parliament on June 20.
In Ireland, where abortion was legalized in 2018, over 10,000 terminations were recorded in 2023 alone.
In his message, the Pope called on society to “defend, not undermine, a civilization built on authentic love and true compassion.”
He stressed that “Christian witness must always be rooted in the Gospel and in respect for every human life, especially where it is most vulnerable.”
The theme of the 2025 Day for Life is: “Hope Does Not Disappoint – Finding Meaning in Suffering.” The Pope's message emphasized that even in suffering, a person can encounter the presence of the Lord: “The mystery of suffering, so often a part of human existence, can, with the aid of grace, become an experience of God’s closeness.”
Pope Leo XIV also underlined the importance of Christian care for the seriously ill, noting that true compassion is not the termination of life, but love and presence.
In conclusion, the Pope entrusted the efforts of all who defend life to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and imparted his blessing to all participants and supporters of the Day for Life.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the UK is preparing to legalize euthanasia.
