In his annual foreign policy address to ambassadors accredited to the Holy See on Monday, Pope Francis called for a worldwide prohibition on the “despicable” practice of surrogate motherhood, condemning the “commercialization” of pregnancy as a threat to global peace and human dignity.
Expressing deep concern about the contemporary state of the world, Pope Francis noted that 2024 has commenced at a time when peace is increasingly endangered, weakened, and, in some instances, lost. His speech covered a range of issues, including Russia’s war in Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas conflict, migration challenges, climate crises, and the “immoral” production of nuclear and conventional weapons. The Pope highlighted the growing violation of international humanitarian law as these issues persist.
In addition to major geopolitical concerns, Pope Francis identified smaller-scale issues threatening peace and human dignity. Notably, he denounced surrogate motherhood, describing it as a “grave violation of the dignity of the woman and the child” rooted in the exploitation of mothers facing material needs. The Pope stressed the protection of unborn children and urged for a global ban on surrogacy to prevent its practice universally.
While the Catholic Church, led by Pope Francis, has consistently opposed surrogacy, some European countries, including Spain and Italy, have implemented legal restrictions against it. The Vatican’s doctrine office maintains a stance against surrogacy, yet it has clarified that children of homosexual parents who utilize surrogacy can undergo baptism.
Pope Francis also addressed specific geopolitical situations, naming Russia in direct relation to the ongoing war in Ukraine. This departure from his usual avoidance of direct blame for Moscow marked a significant statement of solidarity with the Ukrainian people. In the case of the Israel-Hamas conflict, the Pope condemned Hamas’ October 7 assault on southern Israel, calling for an immediate ceasefire and advocating a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians.
The Pope also commented on humanitarian crises in Africa, denounced military coups and elections marred by corruption and violence in the continent, urged diplomatic dialogue in Nicaragua to resolve a prolonged crisis, and called for the resumption of Iran nuclear talks for a safer future.
Notably, Pope Francis expanded his criticism of nuclear weapons, now including the “manufacturing” of such weapons in the realm of immorality. He emphasized the human cost of war, stressing that civilian victims are not mere “collateral damage” but individuals with names and surnames who have lost their lives, leaving behind orphaned children deprived of their future.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
