Pope Leo XIV expressed deep disappointment following Illinois’ approval of a law permitting medically assisted suicide, despite his appeals to Governor JB Pritzker.
Pope Leo XIV, alongside Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich, voiced strong opposition to the recent legislation in Illinois that allows medically assisted suicide. The Pope, who has roots in Chicago, publicly expressed his discontent after Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed the bill into law.
On Tuesday, the Pope stated he was “very disappointed” with the decision, emphasizing that he had explicitly urged Governor Pritzker not to enact the law. He argued that the measure undermines the respect for human life from “the very beginning to the very end.” Speaking to reporters outside Rome, Leo remarked, “Unfortunately, for different reasons, he decided to sign that bill. I am very disappointed about that.”
The Medical Aid in Dying Act, commonly referred to as “Deb’s Law,” was officially signed into law by Pritzker on December 12. This legislation permits eligible terminally ill adult patients to request life-ending medication after consulting with their healthcare providers.
The law is named in honor of Deb Robertson, a lifelong Illinois resident who battled a rare terminal illness and advocated for the bill’s passage. It is set to take effect in September 2026, allowing time for healthcare providers and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to establish necessary processes and protections.
Cardinal Cupich also made efforts to persuade Governor Pritzker against signing the bill, but these attempts were ultimately unsuccessful. In light of the legislation’s passage, the Pope called for a reflection on the nature and goodness of human life, particularly during the Christmas season. “God became human like us to show us what it means really to live human life,” he said, expressing hope that respect for life would flourish in all stages of human existence, from conception to natural death.
The decision to approve the law has drawn criticism from the six Catholic dioceses in Illinois, which have condemned Pritzker’s action as a step towards a “dangerous and heartbreaking path.” The dioceses argue that the law contradicts the fundamental principles of the sanctity of life.
Illinois now joins a growing number of states that permit medically assisted suicide. According to the advocacy group Death with Dignity, eleven other states and the District of Columbia currently allow this practice, while seven additional states are considering similar legislation.
In defense of the law, Governor Pritzker stated that it would provide terminally ill patients the option to “avoid unnecessary pain and suffering at the end of their lives.” He assured that the implementation of the law would be handled thoughtfully, guiding both physicians and patients through these deeply personal decisions.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Governor Pritzker’s office for further comment on the matter.
According to Fox News Digital, the ongoing debate surrounding assisted suicide continues to evoke strong opinions and sentiments across the nation.