Pope Leo defends entering political fray on France end-of-life law

Pope Leo Defends Entering Political Debate on France End-of-Life Law

Pope Leo Addresses Assisted Dying Law During France Visit

Pope Leo's Statements on Assisted Dying

ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT, Sept 28 (Reuters) - Pope Leo on Monday defended his decision to vocally oppose assisted dying initiatives while in France, acknowledging he may have entered the political fray two months after the country approved such a measure, but wanted to share the Catholic Church's viewpoint.

"If that's politics, I did that, but it was not to get involved in French politics, it was to teach what the Church really believes," the first US pope told journalists on his flight back to Rome from his four-day visit to France.

Criticism of Assisted Dying Measures

Leo criticized assisted-dying measures several times during his three-city tour. On Sunday he told healthcare workers in Lourdes, France that their job is "to care for a suffering person, not to eliminate that person."

France's New End-of-Life Law

France's new law, which created a legal right to die for those with incurable illnesses after years of intense debate, drew heated opposition from local Catholic bishops.

Pope Leo on Church and State

Maintaining the Church's Role

Leo said on Monday he did not think he crossed any lines between Church and state.

"When I went to France, I went primarily to preach the Gospel," he said.

The Catholic Church's Teachings

The Catholic Church teaches that all human life is sacred and opposes abortion, assisted dying and the death penalty.

(Reporting by Joshua McElwee; Editing by Alistair Bell)