Pope Francis strongly opposes surrogacy, labeling it as “despicable” and calling for a global ban on the practice.

He asserts that surrogacy commercializes pregnancy and exploits vulnerable women, urging that unborn children should not be treated as commodities. Surrogacy is already banned in Italy and restricted in many European countries, although it’s legal in some nations like the United Kingdom and Ukraine. The Pope’s stance aligns with the Catholic Church’s longstanding opposition to surrogacy and in vitro fertilization due to ethical concerns.

While the Pope recently permitted blessings for same-sex couples, these gestures are not an endorsement of practices like surrogacy. He has previously likened surrogacy to “uterus for rent,” echoing sentiments shared by Italian politicians who advocate against the practice. The Vatican maintains that children born through surrogacy can be baptized, but the Pope emphasizes the importance of upholding traditional views on gender, cautioning against ideologies that erase biological differences.

The Pope’s remarks on surrogacy were delivered during his annual address to diplomats, where he also addressed global conflicts and humanitarian crises, including the war in Ukraine and violence in the Middle East.