Pope disappointed over approval of assisted suicide legislation in his home state of Illinois

Pope Leo XIV says he was “very disappointed” that his home state of Illinois had approved a law allowing for medically assisted suicide, and he called for greater respect for life. Leo said he had spoken “explicitly” and face-to-face with Gov. J.B. Pritzker and urged him not to sign into law a bill permitting the procedure. Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich did the same, Leo told reporters as he left his country house in Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome. “We were very clear about the necessity to respect the sacredness of life from the very beginning to the very end, and unfortunately, for different reasons, he decided to sign that bill,” Leo said. “I am very disappointed about that.”