Current:Home > NewsPope Francis blasts surrogacy as "deplorable" practice that turns a child into "an object of trafficking" -MoneyTrend
Pope Francis blasts surrogacy as "deplorable" practice that turns a child into "an object of trafficking"
View
Date:2025-04-27 12:09:36
Rome — Pope Francis on Monday called for surrogate motherhood to be banned worldwide, calling the practice of surrogacy "deplorable" and saying an unborn child "cannot be turned into an object of trafficking."
In a wide-ranging speech to ambassadors of the 184 countries that have diplomatic relations with the Vatican, the pope said surrogacy represented a grave violation of the dignity of the woman and the child and that it exploited surrogate mothers' financial circumstances.
"A child is always a gift and never the basis of a commercial contract," Francis said.
- Chrissy Teigen and John Legend welcome 4th child via surrogate
In 2022, the pope called surrogacy "inhuman," saying "women, almost all poor, are exploited, and children are treated like goods."
Laws on surrogacy differ widely around the world. Only a few countries, and some states in the U.S., allow commercial surrogacy. Others allow "altruistic" surrogacy, where no money is exchanged. Many other nations, including most in Europe, have banned it altogether.
Francis included surrogacy in his list of conflicts and divisions threatening world peace in his annual speech to the diplomat corps, sometimes referred to as the pontiff's "state of the world" address. This year he also reflected on the ongoing wars in the Gaza Strip and Ukraine, the immigration crisis, climate change, arms proliferation, antisemitism, the persecution of Christians and artificial intelligence, among other topics.
The pope said the wars in Gaza and Ukraine prove that all conflicts end up indiscriminately affecting civilian populations where they are fought.
"We must not forget that grave violations of international humanitarian law are war crimes," he said.
- In:
- Pope Francis
- Child Trafficking
- surrogacy
- Pregnancy
- Human Trafficking
- Child Abuse
- Catholic Church
veryGood! (69214)
Related
- Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Retirement planning: 3 crucial moves everyone should make before 2025
- Sam Taylor
- New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
- Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
- The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
- The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
- Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
- From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
Ranking
- Mega Millions winning numbers for August 6 drawing: Jackpot climbs to $398 million
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
- Scoot flight from Singapore to Wuhan turns back after 'technical issue' detected
- Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie return for an 'Encore,' reminisce about 'The Simple Life'
- Kylie Jenner Shows Off Sweet Notes From Nieces Dream Kardashian & Chicago West
- Bodycam footage shows high
- Retirement planning: 3 crucial moves everyone should make before 2025
Recommendation
Shilo Sanders' bankruptcy case reaches 'impasse' over NIL information for CU star
North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
$73.5M beach replenishment project starts in January at Jersey Shore
Rolling Loud 2024: Lineup, how to stream the world's largest hip hop music festival
Michigan lawmaker who was arrested in June loses reelection bid in Republican primary
Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
What to watch: O Jolie night
Head of the Federal Aviation Administration to resign, allowing Trump to pick his successor