Pope Leo’s Opposition to Euthanasia in France

A recent report from Catholic media, which relies on unnamed sources, has surfaced this week detailing Pope Leo’s stance on euthanasia. Since his election in 2025, Pope Leo has emphasized opposing the legalization of euthanasia for those with terminal illnesses or serious health conditions. This sentiment is echoed by French bishops who have urged National Assembly and Senate members to reject measures aimed at broadening euthanasia laws. Just before the final vote on the bill, Bishop Marc Aire made a strong statement suggesting that legislators supporting the bill should be barred from receiving Holy Communion due to the severity of their actions.

Members of the National Assembly were set to cast their final votes regarding the euthanasia legislation on Wednesday. As of the latest updates, the voting results were still pending.

The publication Catholic Press AdVaticanum shared that the Catholic Church’s leadership has been in regular contact with President Emmanuel Macron, aiming to delay progress on the euthanasia bill. While it’s unclear when these discussions began, the report claims Pope Leo specifically sought to persuade Macron to slow down the legislative process, referencing Canada’s situation where the “Medical Assisted Dying” (MAID) policy has been criticized for leading to numerous questionable deaths.

This isn’t the first time Pope Leo has been involved in similar discussions. Last year, he opposed a bill in Illinois that allowed medically assisted murder, expressing disappointment when it was signed into law. At the time, he emphasized the crucial need to uphold the sanctity of life, indicating his regret over the state’s decision.

In a debate held in June, Pope Leo addressed the need for respect towards the dignity of all human life, asserting that society sometimes struggles to see the value in life, even at its end. French churches have been vocal in supporting his message against expanding euthanasia rights, with Bishop Marc Ayet recently stating that lawmakers backing such legislation should not be permitted to receive the Eucharist, highlighting concerns over ecclesiastical integrity.

The euthanasia bill continues to stir significant controversy in France. It has passed through the House three times but has faced rejection in the Senate on three occasions, with the last attempt failing by a slim margin earlier in July. French law permits the parliament to move forward after the National Assembly approves a bill three times, setting the stage for Wednesday’s crucial vote.

This legislation would permit medical professionals to assist in euthanasia under limited conditions. However, it’s not as extensive as Canada’s MAID policy, being specifically designated for French citizens battling serious and irreversible physical illnesses, and does not include provisions for those suffering from mental health issues, which are a concern in Canada.

Pope Leo has had several private meetings with President Macron, the latest occurring in April. During these, the two exchanged gifts and discussed collaboration between France and the Holy See on global peace efforts, but euthanasia wasn’t mentioned in their discussions. Despite France’s current secular nature, it has a historically significant Catholic influence. Notably, Macron presented Pope Leo with a book about the Notre Dame Cathedral’s reconstruction after the devastating fire in 2019.

Looking ahead, the Vatican has announced that Pope Leo is scheduled to visit France from September 25 to 28, following an invitation from President Macron, in what is being described as an “apostolic journey.”