Archive · 24 Dec 2025
Pope Disappointed Over Illinois Assisted Suicide Law
Pope Leo XIV is sad because his home state, Illinois, passed a law allowing people who are very sick and dying to choose when they want to end their lives.
He talked to the governor, JB Pritzker, and asked him not to sign the law, but the governor did it anyway.
The law is named after a woman named Deb Robertson, who has a serious illness and wanted this choice.
The Pope believes life is sacred and should be protected from the beginning to the end.
He hopes people will think about the value of life, especially during Christmas.
Other states also allow this, and some are thinking about it.
The Catholic Church in Illinois is not happy with this new law.
Pope Leo XIV expressed disappointment over Illinois' approval of medically assisted suicide legislation.
He urged Governor JB Pritzker not to sign the bill, but Pritzker signed it on December 12.
The law is named 'Deb’s Law' after Deb Robertson, a terminally ill resident who advocated for it.
Pritzker was moved by stories of patients suffering from terminal illnesses.
The Pope cited Catholic teaching, which calls for the protection of life from conception to natural death.
- Who
- Pope Leo XIV, Governor JB Pritzker, Deb Robertson
- What
- Approval of medically assisted suicide legislation in Illinois
- When
- December 12 (signed by Pritzker), exact date of Pope's statement not specified
- Where
- Illinois, Castel Gandolfo (Italy)
- Why
- Pope believes in the sacredness of life from conception to natural death, Pritzker moved by stories of terminally ill patients
- Pope's Name
- Pope Leo XIV
- State
- Illinois
- Governor
- JB Pritzker
- Law Name
- Deb’s Law
- Effective Date in Delaware
- January 1, 2026
- Number of States Allowing Assisted Suicide
- 11 states and the District of Columbia
- Pope's Hometown
- Chicago
- Catholic Dioceses in Illinois
- 6