President Joe Biden faced a question about his support of abortion in light of his Catholic faith.
As he left the White House on Wednesday, which is Ash Wednesday, a reporter asked, “Last night you said you support Roe v. Wade. As a Catholic, why do you support abortion?”
“I tell you what, I don’t want to get in a debate with you on theology,” Biden responded.
Instead, he simply said, “I’m not going to make a judgment for other people.”
Watch the video below:
REPORTER: "As a Catholic, why do you support abortion?"
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) March 2, 2022
BIDEN: "I don't want to get in a debate with you on theology, but you know…I'm not going to make a judgement for other people."
REPORTER: "But you're Catholic!" pic.twitter.com/KR7njW1cW9
In Sept. 2021, Pope Francis reiterated the Catholic Church’s view that “abortion is murder,” according to the Catholic News Agency.
“Scientifically, it’s a human life. The textbooks teach us that. But is it right to take it out to solve a problem? And this is why the Church is so strict on this issue because it is kind of like accepting this is accepting daily murder,” he said.
When asked about the issue of pro-choice politicians receiving communion, the pope said, “What should the pastor do? Be a shepherd, do not go around condemning … but be a pastor. But is he also a pastor of the excommunicated? Yes, he is the pastor, and … he must be a shepherd with God’s style. And God’s style is closeness, compassion, and tenderness.”
Biden previously said the pope told him to keep taking communion, as IJR reported.
Despite the Catholic Church’s position on abortion, Biden has voiced support for protecting access to abortions in the U.S. He told reporters in September, “I respect people… who don’t support Roe v. Wade. I respect their views. I respect those who believe life begins in the moment of conception. I respect that, I don’t agree with it, I respect that.”
And White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki previously said Biden believes abortion is “a woman’s right.”