"Pope Francis Urges Worldwide Ban on Surrogacy, Denouncing Exploitation"

Pope Francis called for a universal ban on surrogacy, labeling it as "deplorable" and based on the exploitation of women and children. He emphasized that a child should never be the basis of a commercial contract and urged the international community to prohibit the practice universally. The Catholic Church has long opposed surrogacy and in vitro fertilization, citing ethical concerns. This stance aligns with the Pope's previous strong positions on issues such as abortion and LGBTQ+ rights, despite facing opposition within the church for his more progressive approaches.