Pope Leo XIV delivers catechesis on human dignity

Pope Leo XIV taught that human dignity is a gift from God that must be protected and defended during a general audience on Wednesday, September 9, 2026. This session was the second in a series of teachings regarding the documents of the Second Vatican Council, specifically focusing on the first chapter of the pastoral constitution Gaudium et spes.

The Pope stated that human dignity does not depend on a person's abilities, wealth, social status, or whether they make right or wrong decisions. Instead, he described dignity as a gift rooted in God's love that precedes and transcends the individual.

Pope Leo XIV urged people to use the power of the Gospel to promote and defend this dignity. He called for resistance against the manipulation, distortion, and redefinition of human dignity, and encouraged moving beyond a dualistic view of the human person.