Pope Leo XIV Condemns Abortion, Euthanasia, and Surrogacy in First Address

Pope Leo XIV strongly condemned abortion, euthanasia, and surrogacy in his first New Year address to the diplomatic corps at the Vatican on Friday, attended by Andorra’s ambassador, Carles Álvarez. Speaking in the Hall of Blessings after Pope Francis’s death and the 2025 Jubilee, the new pontiff decried practices that deny or exploit life, calling abortion a rejection of the gift of life and criticising public funding for cross-border travel to access it. He described surrogacy as commodifying children and exploiting mothers, while rejecting euthanasia in favour of palliative care and true solidarity.

The Pope also highlighted demographic decline and the fragility of family structures, upholding marriage between a man and a woman as their ethical foundation. These positions, rooted in longstanding Catholic doctrine defending life from conception to natural death, align with Episcopal Co-Prince Josep-Lluís Serrano Pentinat’s November defence of unconditional human life.

In Andorra, the remarks complicate ongoing negotiations to decriminalise abortion while preserving the co-principality. Government sources admitted surprise at the forceful language but insisted dialogue with the Holy See must continue. Interior Minister Conxita Marsol, speaking to RTVA, labelled the statements “manifestations contundents” and reaffirmed commitment to balancing women’s rights with the institutional system, adding that talks remain open.

Opposition responses diverged. Concòrdia’s Núria Segués expressed deep disappointment, criticising government delays under former Co-Prince Joan Enric Vives, who reportedly indicated three years ago he would not resign over decriminalisation. She decried a “lost window of opportunity” and church interference, vowing to press for the change as a right affecting half the population. Social Democrats’ Susanna Vela called it a “total shutdown,” questioning moral impositions on a sovereign nation and urging unilateral decriminalisation, even if it risks the co-principality. Andorra Endavant emphasised the views as consistent Church teaching, with no novelty.

Women’s groups echoed calls to advance. Associació de Dones (ADA) president Geli voiced regret over the setback under Leo XIV—after perceived progress previously—but urged the government not to halt negotiations, demanding at least abortion in three cases. Acció Feminista’s Laia Ferrer Marot noted the Church’s unchanging stance, contrasting it with France’s constitutional protection of abortion, and pressed for national action to guarantee women’s rights.