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Miami Herald
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Pope Leo's New Appointee's Views on Sex, Life Under Scrutiny
Monsignor Renzo Pegoraro is facing scrutiny after Pope Leo XIV appointed him as the leader of the church group Pontifical Academy for Life. Newsweek has contacted the Holy See for comment by email. Leo, a Chicago native, was chosen as the new leader of the Catholic Church on May 8 after a two-day conclave. Like his predecessor, Pope Francis, who died on April 21, he has expressed concerns about the plight of the poor and immigrants. As Leo's views on various issues come into sharper relief, Pegoraro's appointment may help shed some light on the new pope's plans for the Catholic Church. Pegoraro is a medicine and surgery graduate who, since 2011, has been the chancellor of the Pontifical Academy for Life, a church society founded in 1994 that is dedicated to "the defense and promotion of the value of human life and of the dignity of the person," according to its statutes. On Tuesday, Leo appointed him president of the group after Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia announced his resignation from the role. Since 2016, the group has been accused of drifting from its original mission and showing views sympathetic to Francis. In 2022, Pegoraro told The Wall Street Journal that contraception might be acceptable "in the case of a conflict between the need to avoid pregnancy for medical reasons and the preservation of a couple's sex life." That same year, he also told French publication La Croix that while assisted suicide and euthanasia do not represent "the Catholic position," of the two options, "assisted suicide is the one that most restricts abuses" because of checks and balances put in place for those seeking it. At the time, his comments led to backlash from other members of the Catholic Church. Monsignor Renzo Pegoraro said in a May 27 statement that he wanted to "work in continuity with the themes and methodology of recent years, making the most of the specific competences of our large and qualified international and interreligious group of academicians." He added, "I would like to highlight in particular the issues of global bioethics, dialogue with the scientific disciplines according to the transdisciplinary approach indicated by Pope Francis, artificial intelligence and biotechnology, and the promotion of respect and dignity for human life in all its stages." Dr. Thomas Ward, the founder of the U.K.'s National Association of Catholic Families told the National Catholic Register that he didn't recall Pegoraro "disassociating himself from any of the egregious positions and comments of Archbishop Paglia." He added: "Millions of Catholic parents throughout the world, whose children are threatened by the lies of the Culture of Death, urgently need to hear the unequivocal defense of Catholic truth on human sexuality and life." Catholic writer Chris Jackson wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that the academy was "now openly run by those who oppose its very name." Nick Donnelly, an English Deacon and commentator said Pegoraro's positions on assisted suicide and contraception were "hard to square" with the founding document of the Pontifical Academy for Life. Leo is expected to make more appointments in the weeks and months to come. These appointments may prove useful in clarifying his direction for the Catholic Church. Related Articles Donald Trump Wants Pope Leo's Brother To Visit Him at White HouseJD Vance Has 'Exchange of Views' With Archbishop After Pope Leo MeetingPope Leo XIV's Inauguration: First American Pontiff Delivers MessagePope Leo XIV Inaugural Mass: List of Who Is Expected to Attend 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Pope Leo's New Appointee's Views on Sex, Life Under Scrutiny
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Monsignor Renzo Pegoraro is facing scrutiny after Pope Leo XIV appointed him as the leader of the church group Pontifical Academy for Life. Newsweek has contacted the Holy See for comment by email. Why It Matters Leo, a Chicago native, was chosen as the new leader of the Catholic Church on May 8 after a two-day conclave. Like his predecessor, Pope Francis, who died on April 21, he has expressed concerns about the plight of the poor and immigrants. As Leo's views on various issues come into sharper relief, Pegoraro's appointment may help shed some light on the new pope's plans for the Catholic Church. Pope Leo XIV holding his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on May 28. Pope Leo XIV holding his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on May 28. AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia What To Know Pegoraro is a medicine and surgery graduate who, since 2011, has been the chancellor of the Pontifical Academy for Life, a church society founded in 1994 that is dedicated to "the defense and promotion of the value of human life and of the dignity of the person," according to its statutes. On Tuesday, Leo appointed him president of the group after Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia announced his resignation from the role. Since 2016, the group has been accused of drifting from its original mission and showing views sympathetic to Francis. In 2022, Pegoraro told The Wall Street Journal that contraception might be acceptable "in the case of a conflict between the need to avoid pregnancy for medical reasons and the preservation of a couple's sex life." That same year, he also told French publication La Croix that while assisted suicide and euthanasia do not represent "the Catholic position," of the two options, "assisted suicide is the one that most restricts abuses" because of checks and balances put in place for those seeking it. At the time, his comments led to backlash from other members of the Catholic Church. What People Are Saying Monsignor Renzo Pegoraro said in a May 27 statement that he wanted to "work in continuity with the themes and methodology of recent years, making the most of the specific competences of our large and qualified international and interreligious group of academicians." He added, "I would like to highlight in particular the issues of global bioethics, dialogue with the scientific disciplines according to the transdisciplinary approach indicated by Pope Francis, artificial intelligence and biotechnology, and the promotion of respect and dignity for human life in all its stages." Dr. Thomas Ward, the founder of the U.K.'s National Association of Catholic Families told the National Catholic Register that he didn't recall Pegoraro "disassociating himself from any of the egregious positions and comments of Archbishop Paglia." He added: "Millions of Catholic parents throughout the world, whose children are threatened by the lies of the Culture of Death, urgently need to hear the unequivocal defense of Catholic truth on human sexuality and life." Catholic writer Chris Jackson wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that the academy was "now openly run by those who oppose its very name." Nick Donnelly, an English Deacon and commentator said Pegoraro's positions on assisted suicide and contraception were "hard to square" with the founding document of the Pontifical Academy for Life. Some positions taken by the new President of the Pontifical Academy for Life, Monsignor Renzo Pegoraro: Support for assisted suicide, as the lesser to two evils, to avoid euthanasia (2022) Support for married couples using contraception to avoid… — Nick Donnelly (@ProtecttheFaith) May 27, 2025 What Happens Next Leo is expected to make more appointments in the weeks and months to come. These appointments may prove useful in clarifying his direction for the Catholic Church.
Herald Malaysia
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Herald Malaysia
Archbishop Paglia concludes mandate as President of Pontifical Academy for Life
In an interview with the Italian newspaper La Stampa, Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia discusses the conclusion of his service as President of the Pontifical Academy for Life, explaining that it is ordinary practice in the Roman Curia that, upon turning 80, all appointments expire. May 27, 2025 Archbishop Paglia speaks at a previous conference in Chile ((Conferencia Episcopal Chilena)) Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia recently returned from an international conference in Argentina, where he reiterated that life must always be protected, at every stage. Now, he has concluded a decade of work as the President of the Pontifical Academy for Life, a post the late Pope Francis entrusted to him in August 2016. Speaking to the Italian newspaper La Stampa , Archbishop Paglia noted that his 80th birthday was on April 20, 2025. 'Pope Francis asked me to continue' A few days ago, Pope Leo XIV appointed Cardinal Baldassare Reina to succeed Archbishop Paglia as Grand Chancellor for the Pontifical 'John Paul II' Theological Institute for Marriage and Family Sciences. 'It's ordinary practice in the Roman Curia,' the Archbishop explained to La Stampa . 'Once you reach 80, all assignments expire. I turned 80 on the very day Pope Francis died, which delayed the notification.' 'Obviously,' he stressed, 'this also ends my mandate as President of the Pontifical Academy for Life.' Archbishop Paglia added that he had already submitted his resignation to the late Pope Francis upon turning 75, 'as everyone does,' adding that 'the Pope told me to continue until I was 80.' 'World is collapsing; fraternity is urgent' Archbishop Paglia spoke on bioethics at the international conference organized by the Catholic University of Buenos Aires to mark the 10th anniversary of the encyclical Laudato si' . He reaffirmed the Church's desire to defend life 'in every context, at every stage, and at every age.' In a world 'falling to pieces,' he said, we urgently need to 'set out to achieve genuine fraternity both among peoples and with creation.' He said we need 'a vision of a pacified humanity—a new humanism. The path exists: a disarmed, disarming, humble, and persevering peace. These are words spoken on May 8 by Pope Leo XIV. May they guide and inspire us.'--Vatican News
Boston Globe
04-03-2025
- Health
- Boston Globe
Pope Francis resting after acute breathing crises forced him to resume noninvasive ventilation
The 88-year-old pope, who has chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man, was put back on noninvasive mechanical ventilation: a mask that covers his nose and mouth and pumps oxygen into the lungs. Advertisement Francis remained alert, oriented and cooperated with medical personnel, the Vatican said. The prognosis remained guarded, meaning he was not out of danger. Doctors didn't say if he remained in stable condition, though they referred to the crises in the past tense, suggesting they were over. The crises were a new setback in what has become a more than two-week battle by the frail pope to overcome a complex respiratory infection. The Vatican said the mucus that had accumulated in Francis' lungs was his body's reaction to the original pneumonia infection and not a new infection, given laboratory tests don't indicate any new bacteria. Dr. John Coleman, a pulmonary critical care doctor at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, said the episodes were more concerning than the l ast one on Friday, in which Francis had a coughing fit, inhaled some vomit that needed to be extracted and then was put on the noninvasive mechanical ventilation for a day and then didn't need it anymore. The use of bronchoscopies reflects a worrying level of mucus and phlegm in the lungs, Coleman said. 'The fact that they had to go in there and remove it manually is concerning, because it means that he is not clearing the secretions on his own,' he said. 'He's taking little steps forward and then steps back,' said Coleman, who is not involved in Francis' care. Advertisement Francis, who is not physically active, uses a wheelchair and is overweight, had been undergoing respiratory physiotherapy to try to improve his lung function. But the accumulation of the secretions in his lungs was a sign that he doesn't have the muscle tone to cough vigorously enough to expel the fluid. Doctors often use noninvasive ventilation to stave off an intubation, or the use of invasive mechanical ventilation. Francis has not been intubated during this hospitalization. It's not clear if he has provided any advance directives about the limits of his care if he declines or loses consciousness. Catholic teaching holds that life must be defended from conception until natural death. It insists that chronically ill patients, including those in vegetative states, must receive 'ordinary' care such as hydration and nutrition, but 'extraordinary' or disproportionate care can be suspended if it is no longer beneficial or is only prolonging a precarious and painful life. Francis articulated that in a 2017 speech to a meeting of the Vatican's bioethics think tank, the Pontifical Academy for Life. He said there was 'no obligation to have recourse in all circumstances to every possible remedy.' He added: 'It thus makes possible a decision that is morally qualified as withdrawal of 'overzealous treatment.'' Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, who heads the academy which helps articulate the Catholic Church's position on end-of-life care, said Francis is like any other Catholic and would follow church teaching if it came to that. 'Today the pope is giving us an extraordinary teaching on fragility,' he told reporters Monday. 'Today the pope, not through words but with his body, is reminding all of us, we elderly people to begin with, that we are all fragile and therefore we need to take care of each other.' Advertisement Francis' hospitalization, which hits 18 nights Tuesday, is by no means reaching the papal record that was set during St. John Paul II's numerous lengthy hospitalizations over a quarter century. The longest single hospitalization occurred in 1981, when John Paul spent 55 days in Gemelli for a minor operation and then to be treated for a serious infection that followed.
Euronews
04-03-2025
- Health
- Euronews
Pope Francis back on ventilation after suffering "acute respiratory failure", Vatican says
Pope Francis remains "alert, oriented, and cooperated with medical personnel" after suffering two new acute respiratory crises on Monday, the Vatican said in its latest update. The Catholic pontiff was put back on noninvasive mechanical ventilation support in what was seen as another setback to his struggle against pneumonia, according to the Vatican statement. Doctors at the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome, where the 88-year-old Francis is being treated, said they removed "copious" secretions of mucus from his lungs by inserting a camera-tipped tube into his airways and using a sucker at the tip to remove the fluid. According to medical experts, doctors often use noninvasive ventilation to stave off intubation or the use of invasive mechanical ventilation. Given that his laboratory tests didn't reveal any new bacteria, the Vatican said the mucus was his body's response to the initial pneumonia illness rather than a new one. Although the doctors used the past tense to indicate that the crises were over, they did not specify if the Pope was still stable. Outlook on Pope's health, still cautious The crisis was a new setback in the Pope's fight to recover from a complicated respiratory infection, which has lasted more than two weeks. Pope Francis, who uses a wheelchair, has chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man. To enhance his lung function, the pope has been receiving respiratory physiotherapy. The buildup of secretions in his lungs, however, indicated that he lacked the muscular strength to cough up enough fluid, according to doctors treating him. No images or videos of him have been made public by the Vatican since he was admitted to the hospital on 14 February due to the lung ailment. On Monday, one of Francis' closest friends at the Vatican urged him to let his voice be heard, saying the world needs to hear it. Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia was responding to the Vatican's handling of the Pope's health, allowing the Pope to recover in peace and out of the public eye. Speaking after a press conference to launch the annual assembly of his Pontifical Academy for Life, the Vatican's bioethics academy, which has as this year's theme 'The End of the World, Paglia said, 'We need men like him who are truly universal and not only one-sided." Francis' hospitalisation has been his longest absence to date in his 12-year papacy.
