Pope Leo XIV criticizes transhumanism: \u2018Death is not opposed to life\u2019 Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday rejected technological promises to indefinitely prolong human existence \u2014 such as those proposed by \u201ctranshumanism\u201d\u2014 and said the resurrection of Christ \u201creveals to us that death is not opposed to life.\u201d Speaking on a cold morning in St. Peter\u2019s Square Dec. 10, the pontiff warned that numerous current anthropological visions \u201cpromise immanent immortality [and] theorize the prolongation of earthly life through technology.\u201d That outlook, he said, is characteristic of \u201cthe transhumance scenario,\u201d a phenomenon that \u201cis making its way into the horizon of the challenges of our time.\u201d In response, Leo urged people to consider two central questions: \u201cCould death really be defeated by science? But then, could science itself guarantee us that a life without death is also a happy life?\u201d The Holy Father explained that death and life are not opposed, and that in the Christian meaning, death is \u201ca constitutive part of [life], as the passage to eternal life.\u201d \u201cThe Pasch of Jesus gives us a foretaste, in this time still full of suffering and trials, of the fullness of what will happen after death,\u201d he added. Thailand-Cambodia border clashes At the end of his audience, Pope Leo spoke out against violent clashes at the border of Thailand and Cambodia, saying he was \u201cdeeply saddened by the news of the escalation of the conflict.\u201d The hostilities have injured more than 100 people and displaced thousands of people in both countries. An estimated 13 people, including civilians, have been killed as the fighting entered the third day on Wednesday. \u201cI express my closeness in prayer to these beloved populations and I ask the parties to immediately cease fire and resume dialogue,\u201d the pope said. Death, \u2018a great teacher of life\u2019 In his catechesis for the general audience, Leo XIV noted that throughout history, \u201cmany ancient peoples developed rites and customs linked to the cult of the dead, to accompany and to recall those who journeyed towards the supreme mystery.\u201d But today, death \u201cseems to be a sort of taboo\u201d and \u201csomething to be spoken of in hushed tones, to avoid disturbing our sensibilities and our tranquility.\u201d The pope lamented that this attitude often leads people to avoid visiting cemeteries. He also evoked the teachings of St. Alphonsus Liguori, recalling the enduring relevance of the saint\u2019s work, \u201cPreparation for Death.\u201d The pontiff emphasized that, for the saint, death is \u201ca great teacher of life,\u201d capable of guiding the believer toward what is essential. As the pope explained, St. Alphonsus invited people to \u201cto know that [death] exists, and above all to reflect on it\u201d as a way to discern what is truly important in life. Leo also recalled that, in Alphonsian spirituality, prayer holds a central place \u201cto understand what is beneficial in view of the kingdom of heaven, and letting go of the superfluous that instead binds us to ephemeral things.\u201d From this perspective, he asserted that only the resurrection of Christ \u201cis capable of illuminating the mystery of death to its full extent.\u201d \u201cIn this light, and only in this, what our heart desires and hopes becomes true: that death is not the end, but the passage towards full light, towards a happy eternity,\u201d he said. The pope explained that the risen Christ \u201chas gone before us in the great trial of death, emerging victorious thanks to the power of divine Love.\u201d \u201cHe has prepared for us the place of eternal rest, the home where we are awaited; he has given us the fullness of life in which there are no longer any shadows and contradictions,\u201d Leo said. This story was originally published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA. Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today EWTN Vatican on WhatsApp Victoria Cardiel Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter. More news related to this article Pope Francis: Let us thank the Lord for our friends Emergencies in Turkey, Iran, and Eritrea focus on R.O.A.C.O. plenary Archives of a Political Laboratory: Rome 1943-1944 Reveals the Role of the Holy See in Liberation Washing Of Feet At Vatican Highlights Holy Thursday Call To Reject World That \u2018Betrays\u2019 For Profit A Glimpse into the Life of Seminarians at the Pontifical North American College in Rome Vatican Focus on Asia<\/p>\n