In a recent address to ambassadors accredited to the Holy See, Pope Francis called for a global prohibition of surrogate motherhood, labeling it a "despicable" practice and a threat to human dignity.
The Pope's remarks were part of his annual speech outlining the various challenges to global peace.
The Pope's address came at a time when peace is increasingly under threat, with the dawn of 2024 marked by conflicts and crises around the world. He cited Russia's war in Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas conflict, migration issues, climate crises, and the production of nuclear and conventional weapons as significant threats to global peace.
In addition to these large-scale issues, Pope Francis also highlighted smaller-scale problems, including the commercialization of pregnancy through surrogate motherhood. He emphasized the need to protect the life of the unborn child, stating that a child should never be "suppressed or turned into an object of trafficking."
"A child is a gift and never the basis of a commercial contract," the Pope said, urging for a universal ban on surrogacy. The Pope's stance aligns with the Catholic Church's opposition to what he has previously referred to as "uterus for rent." Several European countries, including Spain and Italy, have already prohibited the practice.
Despite this, the Vatican's doctrine office has clarified that children of homosexual parents who resort to surrogacy can be baptized.
In his geopolitical overview, Pope Francis singled out Russia for its ongoing war against Ukraine. This marked a departure from his usual approach of avoiding direct public blame on Moscow while expressing solidarity with the Ukrainian people.
The Pope also addressed the ongoing conflict in Gaza, condemning Hamas' assault on southern Israel and the subsequent "strong Israeli military response" that resulted in thousands of deaths and a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He called for an immediate cease-fire and reiterated the Holy See's position advocating for a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians, as well as an internationally guaranteed special status for Jerusalem.
Pope Francis also expressed concern over various humanitarian and refugee crises in Africa, criticizing military coups and elections marked by "corruption, intimidation, and violence." He called for a "respectful diplomatic dialogue" with the Nicaraguan government to resolve its ongoing crisis, which has seen dozens of priests and bishops detained.
The Pope also urged for the resumption of Iran nuclear talks "to ensure a safer future for all," following reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency that Iran had increased its production of near-weapons-grade uranium.
In a broader critique of the weapons industry, Pope Francis condemned the production of nuclear weapons as immoral, extending his criticism to their possession and use. He emphasized the human cost of war, stating, "Perhaps we need to realize more clearly that civilian victims are not 'collateral damage' (of war) but men and women, with names and surnames, who lost their lives. They are children who are orphaned and deprived of their future."
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