Pope Francis made a major policy address on January 8th, 2024, calling for a universal ban on surrogate motherhood, sparking immediate backlash as well as support across the globe. The Pope condemned the practice of surrogacy, in which a woman carries and gives birth to a baby for another couple or person, as a “grave violation of human dignity” that turns children into “commodities.”
Pope’s Rationale for a Ban
In his annual address to ambassadors accredited to the Holy See, Pope Francis put forth a forceful denunciation of surrogate motherhood, saying it should be banned worldwide. He stated:
“Surrogate motherhood is a practice that exploits women, turns babies into commodities, and violates the dignity of mothers and children. For this reason, I call on governments to establish laws banning this deplorable practice, so no woman or child is further exploited.”
The Pope outlined several main arguments against surrogacy:
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Commodification of Children. Surrogacy treats children like products to be designed, manufactured, and purchased rather than precious human lives.
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Exploitation of Surrogate Mothers. It takes advantage of women’s financial and social vulnerability to hire them as “biological incubators.” There are risks to the mother’s health as well.
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Right to Origins. Children have a right to be born from and raised by their biological parents. Surrogacy intentionally separates them from one or both parents.
Francis concluded, “A child is not a piece of property or an object of trafficking. Loving care for children includes defending their dignity and right to grow up in their own natural family.”
Support for the Pope’s Stance
The Pope’s strong stance against surrogacy garnered support from several Catholic leaders and pro-life groups:
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Bishop of Raleigh: “Surrogacy fails to respect the dignity of women and children or the sacredness of the marital relationship.”
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National Right to Life Committee: “The child in the womb is not a product for sale but a precious human life with inherent dignity.”
Some feminist organizations also backed restrictions due to concerns over commodification and health risks to surrogates:
- Feminists for Life of America: “The Pope speaks truth—women’s welfare should never depend on renting their bodies to the rich and powerful.”
Widespread Criticism from LGBTQ and Surrogacy Advocacy Groups
However, Pope Francis faced a firestorm of criticism from LGBTQ rights advocates and surrogacy proponents:
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Human Rights Campaign President: “The Pope continues to malign and stigmatize LGBTQ people who wish to form families.” Surrogacy bans harm intended parents and surrogates.
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Global Surrogacy Board: “A worldwide ban would drive desperate couples and surrogates into the dangerous black market.”
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OUT Leadership CEO: “The Catholic church continues to vilify same-gender couples creating families. The Pope’s views are regressive and cruel.”
They argue a ban would rob loving couples and singles of their last chance to have biological children and force surrogacy underground into unsafe conditions.
| Support for Surrogacy Worldwide |
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Surrogacy is currently legal and regulated in many countries such as Ukraine, Mexico, Canada, UK, Australia and parts of the U.S. Public acceptance has grown substantially. |
How the Catholic Church Could Push for a Global Ban
As the spiritual leader of 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide, the Pope wields substantial influence to shape views. With surrogacy already banned in many Catholic and conservative countries, here is how the Church could effectively lobby for wider bans:
- Encouraging bishops to pressure lawmakers in their countries
- Funding anti-surrogacy advocacy groups
- Filing amicus briefs bringing cases to pro-life courts
- Threatening to withhold charity funding from permissive regimes
- Exerting influence at United Nations committees
Vatican diplomats suggested they plan an aggressive, multi-year lobbying effort for national-level bans.
Predicted Next Steps and Opposition Efforts
In the upcoming months, look for:
- Statements from bishops conferences backing the Pope’s stance
- Introduction of bills outlawing commercial surrogacy in more Catholic-majority countries
- Public information campaigns on surrogacy’s “harms” funded by the Church
- Catholic hospitals possibly refusing treatments related to surrogacy
However, the surrogacy industry and LGBTQ activists have financial and lobbying might as well. There will likely be:
- Advertising of positive surrogacy stories to sway public opinion
- Social media activism putting pressure on liberal lawmakers
- Lawsuits from discrimination by Catholic institutions
- Attempts to remove controversial conservative judges
With rising cultural acceptance but staunch religious objection, this issue promises to spark heated legal and ethical battles across the globe in the years ahead.
To err is human, but AI does it too. Whilst factual data is used in the production of these articles, the content is written entirely by AI. Double check any facts you intend to rely on with another source.
