Pope Francis Praises Single Mother for Not Aborting Her Children

On Monday, Pope Francis praised a single mother from California for not aborting her two daughters. Breitbart News reports that Pope Francis spoke at an online media event for Americans from Chicago, Los Angeles and McAllen, Texas. During his speech, he told 31-year-old Rosemary Farfan, a single mother of Alyssa, 11, and Celeste, 8, that she should not be ashamed of her life.


According to ABC News, Farfan and her daughters stayed at Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women and Children, which is a shelter program run by the Catholic Charities of Los Angeles. Farfan was at the shelter until June but the Archdiocese helped the family find an apartment. She said, “It hasn’t been easy for me. I’ve made some mistakes as a person, as a mother. I’ve felt guilty at times and ashamed. … But every day, I try and I hope and I pray.”
In the video, Pope Francis told her he knew that it wasn’t easy being a single mother but thanked her for choosing life and not aborting her children. He said,
“I have to tell you something. You are a courageous woman because you brought your daughters into the world. You could have killed them in the womb but you respected life.”
He added, “I know that people can sometimes look askance at you. You’re a brave woman because you’re capable of bringing these two daughters into the world. … You respected the life you were carrying inside you and God is going to reward you for that and He does reward for you for that. Don’t be ashamed. … I congratulate you.”


As LifeNews previously reported, earlier this month, Pope Francis wrote a letter explaining that the Catholic Church will be making it easier for women who have obtained abortions to seek forgiveness from their priests. “One of the serious problems of our time is clearly the changed relationship with respect to life. A widespread and insensitive mentality has led to the loss of the proper personal and social sensitivity to welcome new life. The tragedy of abortion is experienced by some with a superficial awareness, as if not realizing the extreme harm that such an act entails,” the Pope wrote.
“Many others, on the other hand, although experiencing this moment as a defeat, believe that they have no other option. I think in particular of all the women who have resorted to abortion. I am well aware of the pressure that has led them to this decision,” the Catholic Church leader wrote. “I know that it is an existential and moral ordeal. I have met so many women who bear in their heart the scar of this agonizing and painful decision.”
“What has happened is profoundly unjust; yet only understanding the truth of it can enable one not to lose hope. The forgiveness of God cannot be denied to one who has repented, especially when that person approaches the Sacrament of Confession with a sincere heart in order to obtain reconciliation with the Father,” he continued.
He concluded: “For this reason too, I have decided, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, to concede to all priests for the Jubilee Year the discretion to absolve of the sin of abortion those who have procured it and who, with contrite heart, seek forgiveness for it. May priests fulfill this great task by expressing words of genuine welcome combined with a reflection that explains the gravity of the sin committed, besides indicating a path of authentic conversion by which to obtain the true and generous forgiveness of the Father who renews all with his presence.”