“The whole world was scandalized by what the Nazis did to purify the race.”
Franco Origlia/Getty Images
During a meeting with an Italian family association on Saturday, Pope Francis lambasted abortion and compared it to a practice from one of the most evil regimes in the world.
“Last century, the whole world was scandalized by what the Nazis did to purify the race.” the pontiff said, according to the Associated Press. He added that “today, we do the same thing but with white gloves.”
His statement may have reassured some Catholics who felt that he had previously inappropriately compared the importance of immigration to bioethical questions like abortion.
In an apostolic exhortation issued in April, Pope Francis said:
“We often hear it said that, with respect to relativism and the flaws of our present world, the situation of migrants, for example, is a lesser issue. Some Catholics consider it a secondary issue compared to the ‘grave’ bioethical questions. That a politician looking for votes might say such a thing is understandable, but not a Christian, for whom the only proper attitude is to stand in the shoes of those brothers and sisters of ours who risk their lives to offer a future to their children.”
Pope Francis has been outspoken about other bioethical issues, including the decision to restrict medical care for Alfie Evans earlier this year:
Moved by the prayers and immense solidarity shown little Alfie Evans, I renew my appeal that the suffering of his parents may be heard and that their desire to seek new forms of treatment may be granted.
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) April 23,2018
When Evans died, Pope Francis said he prayed for him:
I am deeply moved by the death of little Alfie. Today I pray especially for his parents, as God the Father receives him in his tender embrace.
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) April 28,2018
“Today I pray especially for his parents, as God the Father receives him in his tender embrace,” he tweeted.
Sam is a writer with IJR. Prior to joining IJR, Sam wrote for The Washington Free Beacon and Media Research Center. His work has been cited or feature… more
