Pope Leo XIV has reaffirmed the Catholic Church's opposition to assisted dying during his current visit to France, two months after the country introduced a legal right to die for people with incurable illnesses.
Although the Pope did not directly mention France's new law, which was opposed by Catholic bishops during the debate, he warned against developments in science and technology which he said could threaten the protection of human life.
"I firmly reiterate that the protection of the right to life constitutes the indispensable foundation of every other human right," the Pope said in an address to French President Emanuel Macron and other politicians.
"I am concerned at times by those trends in society that risk turning science and technology into profit-driven ventures promoting genetic manipulation, surrogacy, the trade in human organs or the possibility of arranging one's own death," he said.
His comments come after assisted dying legislation for England and Wales was defeated in Parliament earlier this month.
The Catholic Church was one of the leading institutions campaigning against the Bill. Archbishop John Sherrington, the Church's lead bishop for life issues, said the response to serious illness should focus on "solidarity, care and respect", and called for greater access to palliative care.
The Bill was defeated at its second reading by 286 votes to 270.
Pope Leo is visiting France for the next four days.
Additional reporting by Reuters.