New Delhi, Dec. 25 -- Pope Leo XIV said Tuesday he was "very disappointed" that his home state of Illinois had approved a law allowing for medically assisted suicide, and he called for greater respect of life.

Leo said he had spoken "explicitly" with Gov. JB Pritzker and urged him to not sign the bill into law. Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich did the same, Leo told reporters as he left his country house in Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome.

"We were very clear about the necessity to respect the sacredness of life from the very beginning to the very end, and unfortunately, for different reasons, he decided to sign that bill," Leo said. "I am very disappointed about that."

Pritzer signed the legislation on Dec. 12. The measure is also known a...