Pope Francis has repeatedly condemned pornography, describing it as addictive, diminishing to human beings, and a "language of the devil." These statements have been made in various contexts, including a recent documentary and several general audiences.

Pope Francis on Pornography and Sex Work in "The Pope: Answers"

A documentary titled “The Pope: Answers” (“Amen: Francisco Responde”), currently streaming on Disney+ and Hulu, features Pope Francis discussing pornography and sex work with young adults. The Spanish-language documentary, produced by Jordi Évole and Màrius Sanchez, premiered worldwide on a Wednesday. It was filmed in Rome in June 2022 with the cooperation of the Catholic Church and the Holy See.

The documentary includes an informal conversation between Pope Francis, an 85-year-old celibate Argentine clergyman formerly known as Jorge Bergoglio, and ten Spanish-speaking young adults aged 20 to 25. Topics discussed included feminism, the role of women in the Church, reproductive rights, loss of faith, the migration crisis, LGBTQIA+ rights, abuse within the Church, racism, and mental health.

During the final third of the documentary, Alejandra, a young mother and adult content creator, spoke about her experience as a sex worker. She stated that she creates explicit content for adults, sexual, and pornography on streaming sites, working live from her computer. She also uses an alternative social media site to upload and sell videos. Alejandra noted that she sets her own boundaries regarding content and does not engage in requests she dislikes. She described her work as providing her with freedom and allowing her to be present for her daughter, contrasting it with previous jobs that kept her away from home for long hours.

Another participant, María, expressed the view that pornography is dangerous because it treats people as objects and causes harm to both the creator and the consumer. María also made claims about hormones creating bonds during sexual activity and suggested that pornography and masturbation isolate individuals. She stated that pornography is an addiction treated like drug or alcohol addiction, despite not involving a physical substance.

Pope Francis responded to these discussions by stating that pornography "reduces" and "doesn't help you grow." He added, "Those that use porn are lessened as people." He compared the addiction to pornography to drug addiction, noting that it keeps individuals at a level that prevents growth. He also stated that sex is "one of the beautiful things God gave people" and that "to express oneself sexually is a wealth." He cautioned that anything that diminishes genuine sexual expression also diminishes the individual and destroys that wealth. He further noted that the Catechism regarding sex is "still in diapers" and that Christians "haven't always had a mature catechism relating to sex."

Broader Condemnations of Pornography

Pope Francis has consistently spoken out against pornography in other forums. On September 25, 2024, during the 500th general audience of his pontificate in St. Peter's Square, he condemned pornography as "a language of the devil." He warned Christians to reject this and other temptations accessible through the internet, stating that "any cell phone has access to this brutality." He acknowledged the positive aspects of modern technology but noted its potential to provide opportunities for temptation, leading many to "fall for it." He specifically mentioned "internet pornography," describing it as a "thriving market" where "the devil works." He called it a "very widespread phenomenon" that Christians "must be very careful to guard against and strongly reject."

On January 17, 2024, at his weekly general audience in the Paul VI Audience Hall, Pope Francis discussed the perils of lust as part of a series on virtues and vices. He stated that pornography and lust "undermine and rob people from experiencing God's gift of love." He described sexual pleasure as a "gift from God" that is "undermined by pornography: satisfaction without relationship that can generate forms of addiction." He emphasized the need to "defend love, love of the heart, mind and body, loving by giving oneself to another — this is the beauty of a sexual relationship." He clarified that Christianity does not condemn the sexual instinct, referencing the Song of Songs as a "wonderful poem of love." However, he noted that the sexual dimension of humanity is "not without its dangers."

Compassion for Those Who Struggle

While condemning pornography, Pope Francis also expressed compassion for those who struggle with it. He viewed the church as a "field hospital that needs to attend to the wounds of people." He recognized that those who view pornography have wounds. As a priest, he heard many confessions throughout his life.

Key Facts

  • Pope Francis stated that those who use pornography are "lessened as humans."
  • He compared pornography addiction to drug and alcohol addiction.
  • The documentary "The Pope: Answers" ("Amen: Francisco Responde") features a segment with an adult content creator discussing her work.
  • Pope Francis called pornography "a language of the devil" at a general audience on September 25, 2024.
  • He stated that pornography undermines sexual pleasure, which he described as a gift from God.
  • Pope Francis also expressed compassion for individuals who struggle with pornography.