Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday voiced strong disappointment over a new Illinois law allowing medically assisted suicide, criticizing the measure as a failure to respect the sanctity of human life and saying he had personally urged the state’s governor not to approve it.
Speaking to reporters as he departed his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome, the pope said he had spoken “explicitly” with Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker before the bill was signed. Leo said Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich also appealed to the governor to reject the legislation.
“We were very clear about the necessity to respect the sacredness of life from the very beginning to the very end,” Leo said. “Unfortunately, for different reasons, he decided to sign that bill. I am very disappointed about that.”
Newsweek has reached out to Pritzker’s office via email on Tuesday night for comment.
Why It Matters
The measure, commonly referred to as “Deb’s Law,” is named after Deb Robertson, an Illinois resident living with a rare terminal illness who advocated for the bill. Supporters have said the law gives terminally ill patients the ability to decide how and when their lives should end, citing compassion and personal autonomy.
What To Know
Pritzker, a Democrat, signed the legislation into law on Dec. 12.
The Illinois governor said he was influenced by testimony from patients and families describing prolonged suffering at the end of life. The law places Illinois among a growing number of states that allow medically assisted suicide under certain conditions.
Leo, who was born and raised in Chicago, said the legislation runs counter to core Catholic teaching, which calls for the protection of life from conception through natural death and opposes both abortion and euthanasia.
Illinois’ six Catholic dioceses issued statements criticizing the governor’s decision, warning that the law places the state “on a dangerous and heartbreaking path” and could have lasting moral and social consequences.
According to the advocacy group Death With Dignity, 11 other states and the District of Columbia permit medically assisted suicide. Delaware most recently approved such a law, which is scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2026. Legislation is also under consideration in several other states.
What People Are Saying
Pope Leo said Tuesday, “I would invite all people, especially in these Christmas days, to reflect upon the nature of human life and the goodness of human life. God became human like us to show us what it truly means to live a human life. I hope and pray that respect for life will once again grow in every moment of human existence, from conception to natural death.”
Pritzker said last week, “This legislation will be thoughtfully implemented so that physicians can consult patients on making deeply personal decisions with authority, autonomy, and empathy.”
What Happens Next
The Illinois law is set to take effect next year, with state health officials tasked with developing regulations and oversight procedures governing its implementation. Opponents, including Catholic organizations, are expected to continue lobbying for its repeal or modification, while supporters prepare to defend the measure against potential legal challenges.
The debate is also likely to intensify nationally as more states consider similar legislation and religious leaders weigh in on the ethical and legal implications of medically assisted suicide.
This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.