In an annual address outlining risks to international peace and human dignity, Pope Francis called for a worldwide ban on what he termed the “deplorable” practice of surrogate motherhood, adding the “commercialization” of pregnancy to the list.

Embracing the idea that peace is “increasingly threatened, weakened and in some part lost,” Francis grieved the fact that 2024 had arrived in a foreign policy speech to ambassadors accredited to the Holy See. Francis cited Russia’s war in Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas conflict, migration issues, climate concerns, and the “immoral” manufacture of nuclear and conventional weapons as examples of the diseases ailing mankind and the growing breach of international humanitarian law that permits them.

“Violation of the dignity of the woman and the child”

However, Francis also mentioned a number of lesser-known problems, such as surrogacy, that he claimed posed a threat to human dignity and peace. The unborn child’s life must be preserved and not “suppressed or turned into an object of trafficking,” according to him. “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,” he remarked.

He demanded that surrogacy be outlawed globally, arguing that a child is a gift and “never the basis of a commercial contract.”

In vitro fertilisation is against Vatican doctrine, and Francis has already said that the Roman Catholic Church condemns surrogacy, or renting out uteruses. However, the theology office of the Vatican has clarified that same-sex parents who use surrogacy are still able to have their children baptised.

Ukraine allows surrogacy for foreigners

Commercial surrogacy contracts are prevalent in the United States, including mother protections, promises of independent legal counsel, and medical treatment, although they are illegal in other areas of Europe, including Spain and Italy.

The country’s booming industry was made public by Russia’s war in Ukraine and the danger it presented to kids delivered to surrogate Ukrainian moms. One of the few nations that permits foreigners to use surrogates is Ukraine.

According to critics, commercial surrogacy targets women from low-income and disadvantaged groups. Supporters argue that surrogacy allows women to offer children to childless couples, and that commercial contracts safeguard both surrogates and intended parents. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops referenced Francis’ statements on Monday to clarify why the Catholic Church teaches that surrogacy “is not morally permissible.”

“Instead, we should pray for, and work towards, a world that upholds the profound dignity of every person, at every stage and in every circumstance of life,” said Chieko Noguchi, a representative for the group. In his global summary, Francis mentioned Russia by name, citing the “large-scale war waged by the Russian Federation against Ukraine.”

Pope on the continuing wars

When expressing solidarity with the Ukrainian people, Francis broke from his normal practice of avoiding direct and public criticism for the invasion.

Francis was more measured in his sadness for Israel’s ongoing conflict in Gaza, criticising Hamas’ October 7 attack on southern Israel “and every instance of terrorism and extremism.” At the same time, he claimed that the strike sparked a “strong Israeli military response” that killed hundreds of people and caused a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. He urged for an urgent cease-fire, including in Lebanon, as well as the release of captives in Gaza, and reaffirmed the Holy See’s support for a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians, as well as an internationally guaranteed special status for Jerusalem.

In his remarks, Francis lamented many humanitarian and refugee situations in Africa and, without mentioning names, condemned military coups and elections in several African nations marred by “corruption, intimidation, and violence.” — He urged for “respectful diplomatic dialogue” with the Nicaraguan administration to end what he described as a “protracted crisis.” The government’s onslaught on the Catholic Church has resulted in the arrest of scores of priests and bishops. The government accused the church of assisting popular rallies against his administration, which he saw as an attempted coup. — Called for resuming Iran nuclear talks as soon as possible “to ensure a safer future for all.”

Last month, the International Atomic Energy Agency said that Iran has raised the rate at which it produces near-weapons-grade uranium, reversing a prior decline.

Francis also stated that “manufacturing” nuclear weapons was equally evil as possessing and using them. Francis has previously revised church doctrine to make the ownership of nuclear weapons illegal, but on Monday he included the development of such weapons in his general censure of the armaments industry. “Perhaps we need to realise more clearly that civilian victims are not collateral damage’ (of war) but men and women, with names and surnames, who lost their lives,” he went on to say. “They are children who are orphaned and deprived of their future.”

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