In one of his harshest criticisms of abortion, Pope Francis compared the procedure to "hiring a murderer to solve a problem".
The pope told his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square that "a contradictory approach to life allows the suppression of human life in the womb in order to preserve other values."
He added:
"How can an act that suppresses an innocent and helpless life as it flourishes be therapeutic, civil, or just humane?" He continued by telling the audience that "it is not right" to take a human life, no matter how small.
Women's groups in Italy have fought to ensure safe access to abortion procedures.
However, councilors in Verona last week declared the northern Italian city "pro-life", approving an initiative that would "prevent abortion and promote motherhood" by funding anti-abortion groups, as well as promoting a project that would enabled women to anonymously give up their babies for adoption.
The motion was introduced in May to coincide with the 40th anniversary of Italy's vote to legalize abortion. Despite the law, it is extremely difficult for women to access a safe abortion as more than 70% of gynecologists refuse to terminate pregnancies on moral grounds.
Source: The Guardian
