VATICAN CITY – In a significant intervention into a heated U.S. Catholic debate, Pope Leo XIV has declared that a consistent ethic of life is essential, stating that opposition to abortion must be paired with opposition to the death penalty and inhumane treatment of immigrants.
The Pope’s remarks, made on October 1, 2025, came amid a controversy surrounding the Chicago archdiocese’s decision to honor U.S. Senator Dick Durbin with the Cardinal Bernardin Award. While Senator Durbin was recognized for his work on immigration reform, his support for abortion rights sparked fierce backlash from over 100 pro-life groups.
The award ceremony was ultimately canceled after Senator Durbin declined the honor on September 30, following the widespread protests.
Weighing in on the situation, Pope Leo XIV underscored the Catholic Church’s “seamless garment” philosophy, which calls for the protection of life at all stages and in all circumstances. He argued that a “genuine pro-life stance” cannot be compartmentalized.
“Opposing abortion while supporting the death penalty or inhumane treatment of immigrants does not align with a genuine pro-life stance,” the Pope stated, drawing directly from Catholic social doctrine, such as the encyclical Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life).
The Pope’s comments highlight the evolving teachings of the Church, which under recent pontiffs has moved toward a more definitive opposition to capital punishment and a stronger emphasis on the dignity and rights of migrants and refugees.
This call for ideological consistency is expected to draw divided reactions among the faithful in the United States, where political allegiances often create complex tensions with comprehensive Church teaching on life issues.
