Pope Leo XIV says assisted dying is not “normal”, adding that laws should not undermine human dignity. Speaking to believers at the pilgrimage site of Lourdes in France, he tells sick people and people with disabilities that there is a temptation to cause death under the guise of compassion.
He argues that “what is legal is not necessarily moral” and says causing death cannot be regarded as something normal. His remarks come as France continues implementing legislation passed by parliament in June that establishes a right to assisted dying for certain adults with incurable conditions.
Catholic sources in France strongly criticize the law, characterising it as a serious “rupture,” and the coverage reflects that broader dispute. Across outlets, the emphasis is on the Pope’s moral critique during his visit to Lourdes rather than on operational details of the French legislation.
