Pope Leo XIV publicly characterized assisted suicide as "false compassion" during the French pilgrimage to Ludh, reiterating the Catholic Church's firm position against euthanasia and medical suicide. This statement takes place in the context of the adoption of state government legislation allowing for terminal medical assistance in several states of the United States, and is relevant in the case of American Chinese people, especially those families of Chinese origin who face the prospect of dying family decisions.
His first trip to France since his election on 8 May 2025. During his visit to the famous Loud Holy Land in south-western France, he stated that "medicine should never be a ritualized servant of death" and described assisting suicide and euthanasia as "false compassion". He then went to Notre Dame to attend religious events in Paris and hosted an open mass that attracted some 800,000 people in the central square of Paris.
Pope Leo XIV made a clear and strong position on assisting suicide during the Luce pilgrimage. He characterized assisted suicide as "false mercy", arguing that the death assistance provided by society in the name of compassion was in fact a disregard for life. His core arguments include that the duty of medicine is to treat and alleviate pain rather than to accelerate death; that terminally ill patients should receive better palliative care and pain management, rather than being led to death; and that assisting in the legalization of suicide is a sign of society ' s abandonment of responsibility for vulnerable groups.
While in Ludh, the Pope also held private meetings with child survivors of sexual abuse and pledged to eradicate abuse within the Church. There have been reports of survivors endorsing the Pope's attitude, calling it "good faith". In addition, the Pope warned that artificial intelligence might create "the paradise of machines", thereby weakening humanity.
In the United States, suicide assistance has been legalized through state government legislation in several states, including Oregon, Washington, D.C., California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, New York, New Mexico, Vermont and Montana, as well as in Washington, D.C. The laws of the Länder differ in specific procedures, conditions of application, waiting periods and review mechanisms.
This means that in these states, eligible terminal patients can theoretically apply for medical assistance to die in accordance with the law. However, for Catholic Chinese families, the Pope ' s latest statement might increase the tension between their legal rights and religious beliefs.
First of all, for Chinese families receiving terminal care in Catholic hospitals or in institutions for elderly persons of Catholic background, attention needs to be drawn to the fact that Catholic medical institutions usually follow church ethics and do not provide or refer suicide assistance services. If family members stay in such institutions, the terminal option may be restricted.
Secondly, the Pope's statement does not change the law itself with regard to Chinese families living in the legislated state. State government legislation grants eligible terminal patients the right to apply for medical assistance to die, which is not affected by the statements of religious leaders. However, differences within the family may arise from differences of faith — the younger generation may be more inclined to respect the choice given by law, while the older generation may be more affected by religious teachings.
Thirdly, many elders in the Chinese community still maintain traditional attitudes and have a specific understanding of "good end". The Pope's position may strengthen the willingness of some families to refuse to assist in suicide, but it may also prompt others to discuss more openly the dying will and pre-emptive medical instructions.
The United States has a large number of Catholic hospitals and medical systems that follow the ethical principles of the Church when providing terminal care. According to these guidelines, Catholic hospitals do not carry out euthanasia, provide medical assistance for suicide and take medical measures to accelerate death. This means that patients in Catholic hospitals do not have access to suicide assistance services within the institution, even if permitted by the law of their state.
It is important for the American people to understand this policy constraint if their families are being treated or hospitalized in Catholic hospitals. Patients and family members may consult the hospital ' s terminal care policy in advance, considering transfer or other medical options if necessary.
The Pope ' s trip to France was still ongoing, and it was a matter of concern whether there were more specific policies to follow. It needs to be made clear, however, that the Pope ' s speech is religious and moral and does not directly change the laws of any state in the United States. In the event that the American people face terminal medical decision-making, their choice shall be made in accordance with the laws of their state, taking into account their own beliefs and family values.
For families in need, it is recommended to know in advance the specific provisions of the law on assistance to suicide in the state in which they live, to consult professional lawyers or medical advisers and to communicate fully with families about their dying wish. Premeditated medical instructions and pre-natal orders are also useful tools to help families make decisions according to their own values when they are unable to express their will.