White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre fielded questions about Pope Francis' recent declaration denouncing gender theory on Monday, standing by President Biden's support for the transgender community.
One reporter grilled Jean-Pierre on the Pope's latest document, which reaffirms the Catholic Church's stance against altering an individual's innate gender. Jean-Pierre didn't delve into Biden's specific views on the document but emphasized his backing for the transgender community.
"We're glad to see the document... promoting the Vatican's call for protecting LGBTQ+ individuals from violence and discrimination worldwide. The president will keep advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, safety, and dignity, including those of transgender people in the U.S.," Jean-Pierre responded to a query about the document.
When pressed further about the document's remarks on gender theory and transgender individuals, Jean-Pierre treaded cautiously, highlighting that the President doesn't interfere in internal Church matters but has consistently supported transgender rights and the broader LGBTQ+ community.
Pope Francis' declaration, titled "Dignitas Infinita" or "Infinite Dignity," addresses numerous contemporary issues through the prism of scripture and church teachings, such as abortion, human trafficking, poverty, euthanasia, the death penalty, and more.
The document, released after over five years of development by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF), underscores threats to human dignity in the modern world.
Regarding gender theory, which has sparked significant debate among experts, the document emphasizes that human life, both physical and spiritual, is a divine gift. It warns against personal self-determination in gender matters, stating that it challenges the fundamental truth of life as a gift and is akin to aspiring to be God, a notion contrary to Gospel teachings.
Pope Francis, recognizing the growing influence of gender ideology, has previously criticized it as one of the world's "most dangerous ideological colonizations."
The document also stresses the significance of sexual difference, particularly in male-female relationships, as a profound and beautiful aspect of humanity. It celebrates the unique reciprocity in the male-female dynamic, which culminates in the miracle of new life.
Additionally, the document reaffirms the Church's stance on abortion and elaborates on its ethical concerns about surrogate pregnancies, an issue on which the pope has advocated for a global prohibition.
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