The Vatican, under the leadership of Pope Francis, has reaffirmed its strong opposition to a range of social issues including sex changes, gender theory, surrogate parenthood, abortion, and euthanasia. These positions were outlined in a document titled “Dignitas Infinita” (Infinite Dignity), signed by Pope Francis.
In addition to these stances, the Vatican has emphasized the importance of addressing other social themes such as poverty, migration, and human trafficking, which are viewed as threats to human dignity.
While Pope Francis has been criticized by some Catholic conservatives for his perceived liberal stance, others have accused him of moving the Catholic Church too far away from traditional teachings. On the other hand, some liberals feel that he has not done enough to encourage the Church to evolve on these issues.
In 2023, Pope Francis made headlines by stating that transgender people could be baptized in the Catholic Church, as long as it did not cause scandal or confusion. He also allowed priests to bless same-sex couples under certain circumstances, although the Vatican maintains its view that marriage is between a man and a woman.
Last year, Pope Francis directed the Vatican’s doctrine office to address the complexities of new questions facing society today. Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, who is close to the Pope, was appointed to lead this effort. However, Cardinal Fernández faced criticism for a book he wrote in the late 1990s that discussed human sexuality in detail.
While Pope Francis has shown a liberal tone on issues like same-sex unions and the role of women in the Church, he has remained steadfast in his opposition to practices such as surrogacy, which he has called “despicable,” and gender theory, which he has labeled as “an ugly ideology.”
The “Dignitas Infinita” declaration describes abortion as an “extremely dangerous crisis of the moral sense” and condemns surrogacy as a violation of both the woman and the child involved. It also emphasizes that a person’s sex at birth is a gift, warning against attempts to change it.
The exploitation of the poor, migrants, and women are also described as affronts to human dignity in the document.
Pope Francis’ stance on these issues demonstrates that labeling him as either “progressive” or “conservative” oversimplifies his approach. At 87 years old, Pope Francis has stated that he has no intention of retiring and plans to remain in his position for life, as outlined in his recent autobiography.
