NBC News reported Oct. 2 that Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin was “overwhelmed” by Pope Leo’s comments about the Archdiocese of Chicago’s plans to award the pro-abortion politician with a lifetime achievement award.
The outlet claimed the Holy Father had offered “support” for Durbin amid widespread criticism from bishops and faithful Catholics, who opposed Cardinal Blase Cupich’s decision to honor Durbin despite his rejection of Church teaching on the sanctity of life.
Durbin, “one of the highest-ranking Democratic Catholics in U.S. office, told NBC News on Wednesday that he was ‘overwhelmed’ by the support he received from Pope Leo XIV after facing criticism for his long-held support for abortion rights,” NBC reported.
Durbin told NBC news he had chosen to decline the award “because the reaction has been so controversial against the Cardinal who proposed it, and I see no point in going forward with that.”
As CatholicVote reported, Pope Leo suggested Sept. 30 that, “while he was not very familiar with the controversy, it seemed suitable to honor Durbin for his 40 years of public service unrelated to abortion.” The Pope “also argued that one can oppose abortion but, by supporting the death penalty or the “inhuman” treatment of migrants, fail to live fully up to any claim of being truly ‘pro-life.’”
“Durbin said he was shocked by the pope’s defense,” according to NBC’s report. “It is amazing to me. It’s quite a moment. I didn’t expect it. I didn’t know it was gonna happen,” he said, according to the outlet.
“Durbin told NBC News that Pope Leo’s comments have not made him rethink not accepting the award,” the report noted, quoting Durbin: “I knew there would be pushback from several — but the level of the controversy led me to believe that it’s best that I decline to accept the award.”
Several bishops, who had previously spoken out against Cupich’s intention to honor Durbin, have spoken favorably of the senator’s decision to turn it down.
As CatholicVote reported, CatholicVote President Kelsey Reinhardt said in a statement that the “importance of Senator Durbin declining the award offered by Cardinal Cupich cannot be overstated.”
She also acknowledged Pope Leo’s comments, pointing out that he had mentioned not being “terribly familiar” with the controversy. Praising the Holy Father’s humility, Reinhardt added she would work to fully inform him “about Durbin’s decades-long pro-abortion, pro-transgender stance.”
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