A new Hulu special features Pope Francis speaking to young people from around the world on difficult topics.
The program, called “The Pope: Answers,” discusses issues ranging from immigration to feminism, from child sex abuse to pornography. And, of course, abortion was also mentioned, with most of the young women present arguing strongly for it. But Pope Francis remained steadfast, saying we must be compassionate towards post-abortive women, but remain committed to the fight for life.
One of the girls, Milagros, is from Argentina. She describes herself as a feminist and abortion supporter. Argentina legalized abortion in December of 2020, allowing abortion for any reason up to 14 weeks of pregnancy. Most of Argentina is pro-life, and thousands have protested to legalize abortion. But outside funding and influence, such as from Planned Parenthood, has been more influential than Argentinian voices.
“I’m part of an organization called ‘Catholic Women for the Right to Decide,’” Milagros began. “In 2019, when I was teaching catechism, the abortion debate was taking place. There is something that has not been added; why does the Church want to stand between women and their rights? No? I think Jesus will walk with that woman. He will not judge him as they do at mass in a church.”
“I know people who have gone through abortions,” she continued. “Instead of teaching the gospel, they teach them and call them murderers and horrible to them. But they go to church to find God’s love. They want to listen to the word.”
Then, with tears in her eyes, she showed Pope Francis a green scarf, with the words “Keep abortion legal, safe, free” printed on it. He explained that he kept it to this day as a symbol, and that he wanted to give it to him “lovingly and respectfully.”
Pope Francis, who is also from Argentina, accepted the scarf, and kissed Milagros on the cheek before answering.
“You emphasize understanding the woman who has had an abortion,” he said. “Regarding that, I always tell the priests that, when someone in such a situation comes to them, with a conscience, because abortion leaves a deep mark on a woman, I advise them not to ask and be merciful. , like Jesus. Jesus accepts everyone.”
Despite this gesture of compassion for post-abortive women, she continued by repeating her life principles.
He previously compared abortion to hiring a hitman and criticized the culture of death, which supports the disposal of preborn children if they are deemed inconvenient. During the Hulu special, he continued to advocate for the right to life.
“The problem of abortion must be addressed scientifically,” he said. “Any book of embryology shows us that one month after conception, the DNA is aligned, and all the organs are drawn. Therefore it is not just a bunch of cells put together, but a systematic life of human. So, the question that must be submitted when discussing its morality is: ‘Is it valid to take human life to solve a problem?’ You go to the doctor. So, is it valid to pay a hitman to take a person’s life to solve a problem?”
Milagros and other young women in the room began to shout in support of abortion, but another young woman from Spain, Maria, spoke against it.
“I like to say that I live the same things, but from the other side,” he said. “Every Saturday, I go to the abortion clinics, stay at the door, and talk to the girls who come in. I ask them what they need, or why they made that decision. Many times, they do this out of fear that their parents will kick them out of their homes. ‘I can no longer study, I have no money, I am afraid. I’ve had too many children and I’m not going to have any more.’ If you can find a solution for the problem that got them there, they won’t have an abortion. I have seen it many times. Not as much as I might have liked. And I’ve never heard of a woman who regrets giving that life a chance. For Christians, life is a gift. And for the atheists, if you don’t believe in eternal life, how can you take that child’s only life?”
Then he added, “You are surrounded by women who have had abortions. Do you not see the suffering that abortion causes?”
In the end, Pope Francis said, “This is not a mathematical problem, but a human problem. A woman who has had an abortion cannot be left alone, we must stay with her. She’s made that decision, she had an abortion. We should not send him to hell suddenly or isolate him, no. We must stay by his side. But we must call a spade a spade. Staying by his side is one thing, but justifying the action is another.”
