Catholic Intelligence
J.M.J.Search
If the Lord does not watch over the city, in vain does the watchman keep vigil.Ps 127:1

Vatican Journey to France

In Lourdes, Pope Leo rejects ‘false compassion’ of assisted dying, condemns abortion of the disabled

Catholic Intelligence1 min read

Pope Leo XIV spoke against assisted suicide and the abortion of people with disabilities during a meeting with patients and caregivers at the Accueil Notre Dame in Lourdes, France, on Sept. 27, 2026. Addressing the sick community at the sanctuary, the Pope stated that medicine should not serve programmed death and that no one has the right to decide the life of an embryo or an elderly person based on laboratory algorithms.

The Pope told those suffering from illness that they are not a burden, calling them a precious treasure for the Church and the beating heart of humanity. He emphasized that human laws should not cause people to lose their certainty of dignity. His remarks followed a testimony from a paraplegic woman who spoke to him on stage. Patients and staff at the medical facility responded to his speech with applause.

AI-assisted briefing based on the sources below.

1 source

Read the source

Sources behind this story

More Catholic news

More on Pope Leo XIV

  1. Sep 27, 8:45 PM PT · 4 sources Pope Leo XIV to pray Rosary in October for peace
  2. Sep 27, 8:44 PM PT · 12 sources Pope Leo XIV meets 7 abuse victims in Lourdes
  3. Sep 27, 8:30 PM PT · 7 sources Pope Leo XIV leads candlelit procession in Lourdes
  4. Sep 27, 7:47 PM PT Pope Leo XIV to visit Argentina
  5. Sep 27, 7:13 PM PT Full text: Pope Leo XIV’s World Day of Migrants and Refugees message
  6. Sep 27, 7:05 PM PT · 9 sources Pope Leo XIV leads candlelight rosary procession in Lourdes
  7. Sep 27, 6:52 PM PT Pope Leo XIV Spends Two Hours with Seven Abuse Victims in France: How the Meeting Unfolded
  8. Sep 27, 6:43 PM PT · 8 sources Pope Leo XIV visits Maison Bakhita in Paris
  9. Sep 27, 6:21 PM PT · 5 sources Pope Leo XIV argues for faith in public life in France
  10. Sep 27, 6:21 PM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV delivers pro-life speech in Lourdes
  11. Sep 27, 6:08 PM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV celebrates mass for 150,000 at Lourdes
  12. Sep 27, 6:00 PM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV to visit France
  13. Sep 27, 5:56 PM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV meets French episcopate
  14. Sep 27, 4:54 PM PT Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass in Paris
  15. Sep 27, 4:46 PM PT · 6 sources Pope Leo XIV meets 7 abuse victims in Lourdes
  16. Sep 27, 4:41 PM PT Pope Leo XIV to visit Argentina
  17. Sep 27, 4:38 PM PT · 4 sources Pope Leo XIV to visit Metz
  18. Sep 27, 4:32 PM PT · 7 sources Pope Leo XIV walks in Lourdes torchlight procession
  19. Sep 27, 4:02 PM PT Pope Leo XIV to pray for water protection
  20. Sep 27, 4:01 PM PT · 3 sources Pope Leo XIV meets with French bishops in Lourdes
  21. Sep 27, 4:00 PM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV tells Diocese of Rome to do less, do it better
  22. Sep 27, 3:42 PM PT · 3 sources Pope Leo XIV participates in procession at Lourdes
  23. Sep 27, 3:32 PM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV to visit Diocese of Chiclayo
  24. Sep 27, 3:30 PM PT · 4 sources Pope Leo XIV meets with the sick and their companions at Lourdes
  25. Sep 27, 3:30 PM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV to preside Eucharist in Lourdes

Discussion

Loading discussion…

Catholic News · Comments are signed by readers with a verified address.