Pope Francis Renews his Stand on Abortion

Pope Francis has made another stand against those who advocate abortion.  Pope Francis has affirmed “the wonder and joy” of being born in his preface to a new book by scientists exploring the “‘miracle’ that is life," reports LifeNews.  Pope Francis has written a preface for a book, Il miracolo della vita (The Miracle of Life), a work examining the subject from a scientific and ultimately pro-life point of view, by authors Mondadori, Crippa and Semprebon.

In his preface, Pope Francis lauded “the qualified contribution of science” to the book, which “shows the beauty of looking at unborn life as the holder of the highest right that belongs to everyone: that of existing”.  He also congratulated the authors for taking up his “invitation to return to the theme of abortion by ‘listening’ to the voice of the embryo… fine-tuned over the millennia of evolution”.

Reflecting further on “the wonder of being born”, Pope Francis renewed his “appeal to all those who, faced with unborn life, do not stop and do not give in to a tragic and definitive solution, such as abortion, but feel they can offer the unborn child and the mother the help of a society that is finally dedicated to defending the dignity of all, starting with the most vulnerable”.  Rejecting “throwaway culture”, Pope Francis called on all people to defend life “at every stage of existence: in the fragility of the unborn child, in the loneliness of the elderly, in the shameful poverty of so many who are deprived of the essential basics”.

While many of these comments have bee articulated before by the Pontiff, his bonding to science is unlike him and is reminiscent of Pope Benedict XVI.   This book aims to remind the reader of the wonder and joy of each one's coming into the world. It shows the beauty of looking at unborn life as the holder of the highest right that belongs to everyone: that of existing. Beauty, yes, because the spectacle of nature taking its course instills wonder and calls for care, protection, and welcome.  Central to this book is the input from a scientist, an expert in embryology and one actively involved in mixed bioethics committees (i.e. in dialogue with doctors and lay scientists). Together with the other authors, he has taken up my invitation to return to the theme of abortion by "listening" to the voice of the embryo, questioning us about his or her nature, his or her singularity, on how he or she faces every threat that stands between him or herself and their own existence, guided by processes that nature has fine-tuned over the millennia of evolution. 

"Let us return to the wonder of being born" the authors suggest. In this regard, I renew my appeal to all those who, faced with unborn life, do not stop and do not give in to a tragic and definitive solution, such as abortion, but feel they can offer the unborn child and the mother the help of a society that is finally dedicated to defending the dignity of all, starting with the most vulnerable. It is a society that, in short, rejects the "throwaway culture" in every area and at every stage of existence: in the fragility of the unborn child, in the loneliness of the elderly, in the shameful poverty of so many who are deprived of the essential basics and lack prospects for development, in the suffering of those who are victims of wars, in the reality of emigration caused by desperation and persecution found in every part of the world. On behalf of so many innocent victims, may God bless all those who are willing to discuss and reflect together on this "miracle" that is life.