Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker meets with Pope Leo XIV
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, a prominent Democrat, recently had an audience with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. Both hail from Illinois, adding a personal touch to their meeting. (Source: REUTERS — Not for use by Fox Weather/Outkick)
On Tuesday, Pope Leo XIV expressed his discontent with Illinois’ new legislation permitting medically assisted suicide. The pontiff, originally from Chicago, voiced his concerns over the law, stating it diminishes the sanctity of life from its inception to its conclusion.
During discussions with Governor Pritzker, Pope Leo XIV urged him to reconsider the bill, advocating for the preservation of life. Despite these conversations, Pritzker proceeded to sign the legislation. “His decision was disappointing,” remarked the Pope to journalists in Rome.
The legislation, known as the Medical Aid in Dying Act or “Deb’s Law,” was enacted on December 12. It allows terminally ill adults in Illinois to acquire medication to end their lives following medical consultations.
Pope Leo XIV and Governor Pritzker’s meeting took place on November 19 at the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City. (Photo Credit: Simone Risoluti – Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images)
Pope Leo XIV met with Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker during an audience at the Apostolic Palace on Nov. 19 in Vatican City, Vatican. (Simone Risoluti – Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images)
The measure was named after Deb Robertson, a lifelong Illinois resident with a rare terminal illness who had pushed for the bill’s approval.
The law takes effect in September 2026, giving participating healthcare providers and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) time to implement required processes and protections.
Leo said Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich also urged Pritzker not to sign the bill, but his efforts were unsuccessful.
Pope Leo XIV said he was very disappointed” that Illinois passed a law allowing medically assisted suicide. (Alberto Pizzoli/AFP via Getty Images)
“I would invite all people, especially in these Christmas days, to reflect upon the nature of human life, the goodness of human life,” Leo said. “God became human like us to show us what it means really to live human life, and I hope and pray that the respect for life will once again grow in all moments of human existence, from conception to natural death.”
The state’s six Catholic dioceses have also criticized Pritzker’s decision to sign the bill, saying it puts Illinois “on a dangerous and heartbreaking path.”
Illinois joins a growing list of states allowing medically assisted suicide. Eleven other states and the District of Columbia allow medically assisted suicide, according to the advocacy group, Death with Dignity, and seven other states are considering allowing it.
After signing the bill, Pritzker said the legislation would allow patients with terminal illnesses to “avoid unnecessary pain and suffering at the end of their lives,” and said it would be “thoughtfully implemented” to guide physicians and patients through deeply personal decisions.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed the Medical Aid in Dying Act on Dec. 12, allowing eligible terminally ill adult patients to obtain life-ending medication after consultation with their doctors. (Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Fox News Digital has reached out to Pritzker’s office for comment.
