Pope Leo XIV Criticizes Illinois Governor for Signing Assisted-Suicide Bill

Photo: Governor JB Pritzker/Facebook

CASTEL GANDOLFO, ITALY — Pope Leo XIV expressed disappointment over Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker’s recent signing of a bill legalizing assisted suicide, saying he had explicitly urged the governor not to approve the legislation during a private November audience. The “End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act” allows patients diagnosed with a terminal illness and given six months or less to live to request assisted suicide under strict procedural requirements.

“I spoke very explicitly with Gov. Pritzker about that bill,” Pope Leo said. “We were very clear about the necessity to respect the sacredness of life from the very beginning to the very end. And unfortunately, for different reasons, he decided to sign that bill. I’m very disappointed about that.”

The Pope emphasized the importance of reflecting on the goodness of human life during the Christmas season and called for respect for life from conception to natural death, underscoring Church teaching that intentional euthanasia is gravely contrary to human dignity.

Pritzker signed the legislation on December 12, coinciding with the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, prompting criticism from Catholic leaders who advocate for palliative care alternatives.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Canadian doctors propose euthanasia for disabled newborns. 

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