Pope Leo XIV has spoken out for the first time on a growing dispute in the U.S. Catholic Church over the meaning of being “pro-life.”

His remarks followed criticism of Cardinal Blase Cupich’s plan to honor pro-choice Senator Dick Durbin.

The Pope questioned whether supporting the death penalty or mistreating immigrants is compatible with being pro-life.

“Someone who says, ‘I’m against abortion but... in favor of the death penalty,’” he told EWTN News, “is not really pro-life.”

The pontiff’s comments came after conservative U.S. bishops opposed Cardinal Cupich’s decision to give Senator Durbin a lifetime achievement award.

Durbin, a Democrat, has long supported abortion rights and was barred from Communion in his home diocese in 2004.

Pope Leo said he wasn’t aware of the full details of the dispute but emphasized the need for mutual respect and broader reflection on Catholic ethics.

“I would ask first and foremost that there be greater respect for one another,” he said, “and that we search together... to find the way forward.”

Cupich later announced Durbin had declined the award but defended the decision and highlighted Durbin’s record on immigration and public service. He argued the award could have fostered dialogue on the full spectrum of Catholic teaching.

Bishop Thomas Paprocki, who upheld the Communion ban, thanked Durbin for declining the honor and urged Catholics to pray for respect for all life, including the unborn and immigrants.