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Pope Francis applauded the United States for revising its abortion laws in a lengthy interview on Monday.
The Pope said he respects the court’s decision but does not yet know enough about the US legal system and the history of the issue to discuss its jurisprudence.
“I’m telling you the truth. I don’t understand it from a technical point of view,” the Pope said of the SCOTUS verdict. “I have to study it because I don’t really understand the judgment 50 years ago and now I can’t say whether it was right or wrong from a legal point of view.”
“I respect the decisions,” he clarified.
THE UNITED NATIONS HAS NO POWER SAYS POPE FRANCIS
VATICAN – 2022/06/29: Pope Francis leads the Holy Mass for the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul in St. Peter’s Basilica. (Photo by Stefano Costantino/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
The teachings of the Catholic Church state that life begins at the moment of conception.
The Pope, who has been an active opponent of abortion since the early days of his papacy, adheres to the orthodox teaching of the Catholic Church on the matter. He has previously compared abortion to “hiring a hitman” to kill a child.
The Vatican had previously commended the US Supreme Court for standing for life and reversing the country’s nearly 50-year stance on abortion.
POPE SAYS SOCIETY DOESN’T KNOW HOW TO LIVE WITH RISING SHARE OF OLDER CITIZEN
VATICAN CITY, VATICAN – JUNE 29: Pope Francis leaves the Vatican Basilica after Mass for the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul June 29, 2022 in Vatican City, Vatican. Pope Francis presided over the Holy Mass for Saints Peter and Paul in St. Peter’s Basilica in the presence of bishops and cardinals. (Photo by Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)
In two statements, the Vatican also encouraged activists to understand that “pro-life” means supporting other issues, including all those that threaten life, such as guns, poverty and rising maternal death rates, R reported.
“For example, being a lifelong means being concerned when mortality rates among women from maternity are rising,” said Andrea Tornielli, Vatican editor-in-chief.
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Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, head of the Pontifical Academy for Life, hailed the development as a “challenge” for the whole world.
“The fact that a large country with a long democratic tradition has changed its position on this issue also challenges the whole world,” said the archbishop.
Lawrence Richard contributed to this report.
Timothy Nerozzi is a writer for Fox News Digital. You can follow him on Twitter @timothynerozzi and email him at [email protected]