{"id":289208,"date":"2023-04-16T15:16:12","date_gmt":"2023-04-16T20:16:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.liveaction.org\/news\/?p=289208"},"modified":"2023-04-14T19:01:21","modified_gmt":"2023-04-15T00:01:21","slug":"pope-francis-defends-life-pro-abortion-youth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive.liveaction.org\/news\/pope-francis-defends-life-pro-abortion-youth\/","title":{"rendered":"Pope Francis defends human life in the womb to pro-abortion youth activists"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A new special on Hulu features Pope Francis having conversations with young people from around the world on difficult topics.<\/p>\n

The program, called “The Pope: Answers,” discusses issues ranging from immigration to feminism, from child sex abuse to pornography. And, of course, abortion was mentioned as well, with most of the young women present arguing fiercely for it. But Pope Francis remained steadfast, saying we must be compassionate to post-abortive women, but remain dedicated to fighting for life.<\/p>\n

One of the women, Milagros, is from Argentina. She described herself as a feminist and abortion supporter.\u00a0Argentina legalized abortion<\/a> in December of 2020, with abortion allowed for any reason through 14 weeks gestation. Much of Argentina is pro-life, and thousands<\/a> protested legalizing abortion. Yet outside funding and influence, such as from Planned Parenthood<\/a>, ended up being more influential than Argentinian voices.<\/p>\n

“I’m part of an organization called ‘Catholic Women For a Right to Decide,'” Milagros began. “Back in 2019, when I was teaching the catechism, the abortion debate was taking place. There was something that didn’t add up; why did the Church want to stand between a woman and her rights? No? I think Jesus would walk with that woman. He wouldn’t judge her like they would during Mass at a church.”<\/p>\n

“I know people who have been through abortions,” she continued. “Instead of teaching the gospel, they point at them and call them murderers and are horrible to them. But they go to church to find God’s love. They want to listen to the word.”<\/p>\n

Then, with tears in her eyes, she presented Pope Francis with a green bandana, with the words \u201cKeep abortion legal, safe, free\u201d printed onto it. She explained that she had kept it with her until now as a symbol, and wanted to give it to him \u201clovingly and respectfully.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pope Francis, who is also from Argentina, accepted the bandana, and kissed Milagros on the cheek before answering.<\/p>\n

“You emphasized understanding towards the woman who gets an abortion,” he said. “In regards to that, I always tell priests that, when a person in such a situation comes to them, with a guilty conscience, because abortion leaves such a deep mark in a woman, I advise them not to ask questions and to be merciful, such as Jesus was. Jesus welcomes all.”<\/p>\n

Despite this gesture of compassion for post-abortive women, he continued by reiterating his pro-life principles.<\/p>\n