Pope Francis on Euthanasia and Assisted Dying
Pope Francis holds a firm position against both euthanasia and assisted suicide, viewing them as morally unacceptable actions that involve provoking or facilitating death. He argues that these practices represent a "failure of love" and a manifestation of a "throwaway culture" where persons are not seen as having paramount value to be cared for and respected.
He consistently advocates for high-quality palliative care as the ethical alternative, which seeks to improve the quality of life for those suffering from severe illnesses by alleviating pain and offering genuine compassion and accompaniment. The Pontiff emphasizes that while there is no obligation to employ every possible remedy to prolong life, a careful discernment is required, and life itself is a right that should be welcomed, not administered.
Francis states that this conviction against euthanasia is a human principle, not exclusively a religious one, asserting that one must accompany the sick towards the inevitable moment of passage but must never actively cause or aid in their death. He explicitly condemns laws that legalize euthanasia, such as one in Portugal, as a "law to kill."
Context
Pope Francis, as the head of the Catholic Church, speaks with significant moral authority on issues concerning the sanctity of human life, which is a central tenet of Catholic teaching. His statements on euthanasia and assisted dying align with centuries of Church doctrine, which prohibits the intentional taking of an innocent human life.
His commentary often seeks to frame the debate not just theologically, but within a broader humanistic context, warning against a 'throwaway culture' that devalues the elderly, the sick, and the vulnerable. This context is crucial for understanding why he connects the issue to the necessity of providing 'responsible closeness' and comprehensive care until natural death.
Timeline
- Pope Francis reaffirmed the Catholic teaching that euthanasia is 'always wrong' because its intent is to end life and cause death.
- He stressed that assisted suicide and euthanasia must not be confused with palliative care, urging accompaniment toward death rather than provocation of it.
- He condemned euthanasia alongside abortion, stating neither is permissible because 'You don't play with life' and describing such actions as 'bad compassion.'
- The Pope called euthanasia a 'failure of love' and 'false compassion' when speaking to an interfaith symposium on palliative care.
Key Quotes
We must accompany people towards death but not provoke death or facilitate assisted suicide.
Life is a right, not death, which must be welcomed, not administered.
euthanasia is a failure of love, a reflection of a 'throwaway culture' in which 'persons are no longer seen as a paramount value to be cared for and respected.'
You don't play with life, neither at the beginning nor at the end. It is not played with.
Sources5
Assisted suicide and euthanasia can never be a substitute for good palliative care, says Pope Francis
Pope Francis against euthanasia: We must accompany others to death, not provoke it
Pope Francis to palliative care symposium: Euthanasia is a 'failure of love'
Pope Francis: No to euthanasia, but we should not obstinately resist death
'You don't play with life', Pope Francis says condemning euthanasia and abortion
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.