Pope Francis Calls for Global Ban on Surrogacy, Terms It Deplorable

Surrogacy is a practice in which a woman agrees to carry and give birth to a child for another person or couple, who then become the legal parents of the child. Surrogacy can be either altruistic, where the surrogate mother does not receive any payment, or commercial, where the surrogate mother is paid for her services.

Surrogacy is a controversial issue that raises ethical, legal, and social questions. Some people see surrogacy as a way to help infertile couples or same-sex couples have children, while others view it as a form of exploitation of women and commodification of children.

Pope Francis, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has recently expressed his strong opposition to surrogacy, calling it a “deplorable” practice that violates the dignity of the woman and the child. In his annual speech to the diplomats accredited to the Holy See, Pope Francis said:

I consider despicable the practice of so-called surrogate motherhood, which represents a grave violation of the dignity of the woman and the child, based on the exploitation of situations of the mother’s material needs. A child is a gift and never the basis of a commercial contract. I therefore appeal for everyone’s cooperation to prohibit this practice universally.

Pope Francis’s call for a global ban on surrogacy has sparked anger and criticism from some groups, especially those who advocate for the rights of LGBT+ people, who often resort to surrogacy to have children. They argue that surrogacy is a legitimate and compassionate option for people who cannot conceive naturally, and that banning it would deny them the opportunity to form a family. They also claim that surrogacy can be done in a safe and ethical manner, with the consent and protection of the surrogate mothers and the intended parents.

However, Pope Francis is not alone in his condemnation of surrogacy. Many countries around the world have already banned or restricted surrogacy, either for altruistic or commercial purposes, or both. Some of these countries include Spain, Italy, France, Germany, China, India, and Thailand. The reasons for banning surrogacy vary, but they often include concerns about the health and welfare of the surrogate mothers and the children, the potential for human trafficking and exploitation, the legal and parental disputes that may arise, and the moral and religious objections to the practice.

Surrogacy is a complex and sensitive issue that involves the lives and rights of many people. It is not a simple matter of personal choice or preference, but a social and ethical dilemma that requires careful consideration and regulation. As Pope Francis said, surrogacy is not only a threat to peace, but also to human dignity. It is therefore important to raise awareness and dialogue about the implications and consequences of surrogacy, and to seek alternatives that respect the dignity and well-being of all the parties involved.