House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) dodged a direct question on Thursday regarding whether or not she agreed with two Popes’ assertions that abortion is murder.
Pelosi fielded several questions during her weekly press conference — including one from CNS News intern Janey Olohan about the Speaker’s public stance on abortion compared to the views of the late Pope John Paul II and the current Pope Francis.
WATCH:
Nancy Pelosi refused answering whether she agreed with Pope Francis and former Pope John Paul II that "abortion is murder."
Question by our intern, Janey Olohan pic.twitter.com/Xxckq5hzwf
— CNSNews (@cnsnews) June 16, 2022
Olohan prefaced her question by noting that at different times, both Popes John Paul II and Francis had referred to abortion as “murder,” and then asked, “Do you agree with Pope Francis and Pope John Paul II that abortion is murder?”
“What I agree on is that whatever I believe or agree with the popes on is not necessarily what public policy should be in the United States, as people make their own judgments, honor their own responsibilities, and tend to the needs of their families,” Pelosi replied.
Another reporter in the room followed Olohan’s question with query about recent attacks against pro-life groups, noting that some were concerned that Democrats’ failure to condemn those attacks might be contributing to the problem.
“Well, let me just say this. A woman has a right to choose, to live up to her responsibility,” Pelosi said. “It’s up to her doctor, her family, her husband, her significant other, and her God. This talk of — politicizing all of this is something uniquely American and not right..”
Pelosi went on to argue that many “Catholic countries” — specifically naming Ireland, Mexico, and Italy — had introduced legislation expanding abortion access.
She then made it clear she was finished discussing the topic, adding, “I’m a very Catholic person and I believe in every woman’s right to make her own decisions. Any other questions on another subject because I’m not going to be talking about that?”
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) called Pelosi’s remarks “disgraceful,” adding, “Speaker Pelosi just refused to condemn the radical leftist group that has claimed responsibility for a string of violent attacks and threats against pregnancy centers across the nation. Biden’s Department of Justice must stop ignoring these crimes and take action.”
Disgraceful.
Speaker Pelosi just refused to condemn the radical leftist group that has claimed responsibility for a string of violent attacks and threats against pregnancy centers across the nation.
Biden's Department of Justice must stop ignoring these crimes and take action. pic.twitter.com/elRn6Xe7HJ
— Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) June 16, 2022