The United States Supreme Court decision to overturn the Roe v. Wade ruling that guarantees a constitutional right to abortion placed the Vatican in a delicate situation. In the immediate aftermath of the news breaking, Pope Francis did not address the decision directly and it was left to two other organs of the Holy See to offer public reactions. Each was careful to avoid dragging the Church into the polarised political war over abortion while avoiding any impression of a softened stance on abortion.

One of the shifts that has taken place during the Francis pontificate has been a steadfast avoidance of inflaming culture war disputes that he sees as attempts to wield political power rather than proclaim the Gospel. “We cannot insist only on issues related to abortion, gay marriage and the use of contraceptive methods. This is not possible,” Francis said a few months after his 2013 election. At the same time, the Pope has used the strongest possible language when discussing abortion, which he has likened to “hiring a hitman”.