Pope Leo XIV has publicly expressed his profound disappointment following the decision by his home state of Illinois to legalize medically assisted suicide. The pontiff, speaking from his country residence in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, called for greater respect for the sanctity of life.
A Direct Appeal to the Governor
The Pope revealed that he had engaged in explicit discussions with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, urging him not to enact the legislation. Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich also made a similar appeal to the state's leader. Despite these direct interventions from high-ranking Catholic figures, Governor Pritzker, a Democrat, proceeded to sign the bill into law on December 12.
"We were very clear about the necessity to respect the sacredness of life from the very beginning to the very end, and unfortunately, for different reasons, he decided to sign that bill," Pope Leo stated. "I am very disappointed about that."
The Human Story Behind 'Deb's Law'
The newly enacted measure is known as "Deb's Law," named in honour of Deb Robertson, an Illinois resident battling a rare terminal illness. Robertson was a vocal advocate for the legislation, providing testimony about the intense suffering endured by terminally ill patients and their families. She argued for the right of individuals to have autonomy over the manner and timing of their death.
Governor Pritzker stated that he was moved by the personal stories of patients facing terminal illnesses, which influenced his decision to approve the law.
Church Teaching and Broader Implications
Pope Leo XIV, who grew up in Chicago, grounded his opposition in longstanding Catholic doctrine. The Church teaches a consistent ethic of life, demanding the defense and protection of all human life from conception until natural death. This principle forms the basis for the Church's opposition to both abortion and euthanasia.
In his comments, the Pope issued a broader invitation for reflection, particularly during the Christmas season. "I would invite all people, especially in these Christmas days, to reflect upon the nature of human life, the goodness of human life," he said. "God became human like us to show us what it means really to live human life, and I hope and pray that the respect for life will once again grow in all moments of human existence, from conception to natural death."
The state's six Catholic dioceses collectively condemned the governor's action, warning that the law places Illinois on a "dangerous and heartbreaking path."
With this move, Illinois joins a growing number of jurisdictions in the United States that permit some form of medically assisted death. According to the advocacy group Death With Dignity, eleven other states and the District of Columbia now have similar laws. Delaware is the most recent state to approve such a measure, with its provision scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026. Legislative efforts are currently underway in seven additional states.
