Pope reaffirms teachings on marriage and protecting life at all stages

POPE DEFENDS MARRIAGE, UNBORN LIFE  Pope Leo XIV strongly defended Catholic teachings on sexuality, marriage, and the sanctity of life during his first formal address to the Vatican diplomatic corps. “No one is exempted from striving to ensure respect for the dignity of every person,” he said, “especially the most frail and vulnerable, from the unborn to the elderly, from the sick to the unemployed, citizens and immigrants alike.” He also underlined the importance of family, “founded on the stable union between a man and a woman….”

Pope Leo XIV offered a strong reaffirmation of Catholic teaching on the dignity of human life during his first formal address to the Vatican diplomatic corps, making clear his position on issues like abortion and assisted suicide.

Speaking from the Apostolic Palace on May 16, the Holy Father stressed that justice must begin with protecting the most vulnerable. 

“No one is exempted from striving to ensure respect for the dignity of every person,” he said, “especially the most frail and vulnerable, from the unborn to the elderly, from the sick to the unemployed, citizens and immigrants alike.”

He also underlined the foundational role of the traditional family in society. 

“It is the responsibility of government leaders to work to build harmonious and peaceful civil societies,” Pope Leo said. “This can be achieved above all by investing in the family, founded upon the stable union between a man and a woman, ‘a small but genuine society, and prior to all civil society.’”