Pope Leo XIV criticized supporters of the death penalty on Tuesday, saying they are “not really pro-life.”
“Someone who says, ‘I’m against abortion,’ but says ‘I’m in favor of the death penalty,’ is not really pro-life,” the pope told reporters, via EWTN News. “Someone who says that, ‘I’m against abortion but I’m in agreement with the inhuman treatment of immigrants who are in the United States,’ I don’t know if that’s pro-life.”
Leo was responding to a question about Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich seeking to honor Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) for his “defense of immigrants,” according to a Sept. 22 release from the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Ten American bishops criticized the decision, citing Dubin’s support for legalized abortion.
“My personal feelings on the subject are one thing, and I would discourage any woman in my family from considering [an abortion],” Durbin said earlier this month, per NBC Chicago. “But they have to make the ultimate decision.
“When it comes to public policy, the opportunity for that decision should always be there.”
On Tuesday, the Archdiocese of Chicago announced that Durbin had elected not to receive the Keep Hope Alive award. In the release, Cupich lamented that “Catholics find themselves politically homeless” in the U.S.
“The tragic reality in our nation today is that there are essentially no Catholic public officials who consistently pursue the essential elements of Catholic social teaching because our party system will not permit them to do so,” he added.
While the pope said Tuesday he is “not terribly familiar” with the specifics of Durbin’s situation, he noted that “it’s very important to look at the overall work” of the Illinois lawmaker’s 42 years in Congress.
The Chicago-born pontiff has condemned capital punishment and President Trump’s rhetoric and policies towards immigrants in recent years. He also reaffirmed Catholic teaching on abortion in May, after he was elected.
He added Tuesday that while the issues are “complex,” the church’s teachings on each are “very clear.”
“I would ask, first and foremost, that there be greater respect for one another and that we search together, both as human beings, in that case as American citizens, or citizens of the state of Illinois, as well as Catholics, to say, ‘We need to really look closely at all of these ethical issues, and to find the way forward as a church,’” the pope said.