Overview

• Responding to questions in Castel Gandolfo, the pope said those who oppose abortion but support the death penalty or inhumane treatment of immigrants are not truly pro-life.
• Hours after his remarks, Cardinal Blase Cupich said Senator Dick Durbin declined a planned Chicago archdiocesan award that had drawn objections from conservative bishops.
• Cupich defended recognizing Durbin for migrant advocacy as a chance for engagement on Church teaching, noting hopes to present the Church’s view on issues including abortion.
• The White House rejected the critique, with spokesperson Abigail Jackson saying President Trump is fulfilling promises on deporting criminal illegal immigrants and press secretary Karoline Leavitt asserting policies are enforced as humanely as possible.
• Coverage emphasized established doctrine that the Church prohibits abortion and, since a 2018 change under Pope Francis, deems the death penalty inadmissible, a context for ongoing divisions among U.S. bishops over Catholic politicians.