France, Feb. 8 -- The Vatican has stated its opposition to France inscribing the right to abortion in its constitution, as debate continues over an amendment in a country that retains a strong Catholic tradition despite its official secularism.

France is "moving towards a constitution against life," reads an editorial published by the Vatican, signed by Massimiliano Menichetti, headof Radio Vatican and VaticanNews.

The Pope has not officially commented on the proposed constitutional amendment, but the editorial can be considered an official position of the Vatican, which remains staunchly against abortion.

"How is it possible to enshrine a norm that allows the death of a person in the fundamental charter of a state while at the same ti...