Pope Leo XIV has called for a global ban on surrogacy and renewed efforts to protect the unborn, warning that modern policies are increasingly undermining the dignity of human life.
The pontiff made the remarks on January 9 during his annual “State of the World” address to ambassadors from 184 countries at the Vatican.
In the wide-ranging speech, he highlighted what he described as growing threats to human dignity in an era driven by ideology and economic interests.
Pope Leo XIV warned that contemporary practices are turning human life into a commodity, describing the trend as the increasing “commercialization of life.”
He argued that technological and policy advances must never come at the cost of fundamental moral values.
Speaking directly on surrogacy, the pope said the practice reduces both women and children to objects of contractual and financial exchange.
He cautioned that such arrangements often exploit vulnerable women while denying children the dignity inherent to every human being.
The Holy Father emphasized that no ideology, political agenda, or economic motivation should outweigh the value of human life.
He urged global leaders to enact laws and policies that protect life at every stage, stressing that true progress must always be rooted in respect for human dignity.
