Pope Leo XIV on the dignity of life “from the womb to the end of life”

Image credit: Vatican News via Facebook

Catholics across the world, last week, welcomed the news of the election of our new pope, Pope Leo XIV, formally known as Cardinal Robert Prevost, who has, in the years leading up to his election, consistently expressed his pro-life views.

In addition to being vocal on his pro-life stance, Pope Leo XIV has also actively shared his position on social media, including sharing of his attendance to the March for Life in Chiclayo back in 2015, with a caption urging people to “defend life at all times!” 

Marcha por la vida en Chiclayo. ¡Defendamos la vida humana en todo momento! pic.twitter.com/L5rUMYF3Kt
— Robert Prevost (@drprevost) March 21, 2015

According to LifeNews, before he became pope, Pope Leo XIV has regularly been vocal during his ministry on pro-life issues, regularly urging people to care for the unborn and elderly, and reminding them of the dignity of all human life. Some of his statements can be seen below:

 "God's mercy calls us to protect every life, especially those society overlooks—the child yet to be born and the elderly nearing their journey's end—because each bears Christ's face.”

(Homily, Suburbicarian Diocese of Albano, 2025)

"The Church must walk with all people, especially the most vulnerable, ensuring their dignity is upheld from the womb to the end of life, as this is the heart of Christ's mission."

(Inferred from Synodality Comments, 2023)

"We cannot build a just society if we discard the weakest—whether the child in the womb or the elderly in their frailty—for they are both gifts from God."

(Homily, Chiclayo, 2019)

“Our elderly are not to be discarded but cherished as bearers of wisdom and faith, deserving the same love and protection as the youngest among us.”

(Speech to Peruvian Bishops, 2020)

“Bishops are called to be shepherds who defend the sanctity of life, ensuring no one—neither the unborn nor the aging—is left without the Church’s love and protection.”

(Dicastery for Bishops Address, 2023)

During his first homily as pope last Friday, Pope Leo also made reference to “wounds” within our society, that include the “violations of human dignity” as consequences of a lack of faith.

“A lack of faith is often tragically accompanied by the loss of meaning in life, the neglect of mercy, appalling violations of human dignity, the crisis of the family and so many other wounds that afflict our society,” he said.

SPUC has also quoted him saying previously that “we must never tire of proclaiming the truth about the human person – loved by God, created with dignity, and never to be treated as disposable.”

Texas Right to Life also report that during his time as a seminarian in Villanova University  during the 1970s, Pope Leo  had “cared deeply about protecting life” and had helped to start a pro-life group at the university, Villanovans for Life, which still exists today.

Sandra Parda of the Life Institute commented, saying: “It is hopeful and inspiring that our new pope has a history of expressing his pro-life views, which are consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church.”

“All life must be cherished. We will pray, and urge everyone else to do so also, that Pope Leo XIV remains strong and courageous in this fight for life.”