Pope Leo Defends Democratic Senator, Says "Pro-Life" is More Than Abortion

After right-wing bishops attacked him, Leo backs Chicago Cardinal Cupich and widens the pro-life conversation beyond one issue

Late last week, Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich announced his archdiocese would honor Illinois Senator Dick Durbin with a lifetime achievement award for his decades of work on immigration.

Durbin is barred from communion in his home diocese of Springfield by his bishop because of his pro‑choice voting record, so Cupich’s decision enraged some on the Catho…