Pope Leo XIV has warned the French President against viewing assisted suicide and euthanasia as a solution to human suffering.
Only weeks after Emmanuel Macron signed Aide à Mourir (‘Aid in Dying’) proposals into law, the Pope expressed concern at programmes that promote “the possibility of arranging one’s own death”.
The law, which is now in effect, allows a French adult or long-term resident to seek help from medics to die if they are deemed to have a “serious and incurable” illness “in an advanced or terminal stage”. In cases where the person is unable to take lethal drugs themselves, euthanasia is permitted.
Human dignity
The Pope urged gathered dignitaries, including the President, to “welcome life unconditionally, to support frailty with loving care, to accompany every stage of life with respect and mutual trust”.
He reflected: “Nowadays there is a temptation to expect science to eliminate or alleviate every form of suffering. This often brings the risk of self-delusion.”
“Let us not forget that mutual respect and the protection of every human life is a duty incumbent upon each and every one of us.”
During the official four-day visit, the Pope also told staff at a Roman Catholic health facility to “remember the profound meaning of your vocation, which is to care for a suffering person, not to eliminate that person”.
Dangerous societal trend
In Europe, euthanasia – where a doctor directly administers a lethal substance to a patient – has also been legalised in Jersey, Spain, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Belgium, while Portugal has passed a law that is not yet enacted.
Assisted suicide, where a patient administers the lethal drugs, is legal in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
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