Abortion is not a legitimate choice, the Pope has stated (AP)

Pope Benedict XVI has urged doctors to protect women from the "deceptive" thought that an abortion might be a solution to social or economic difficulties or health problems.

The Pope reaffirmed the Catholic Church's firm opposition to abortion in a speech to members of the Pontifical Academy for Life, the Vatican's bioethics advisory board.

He argued that women are often convinced, sometimes by their own doctors, that abortion is a legitimate choice and in some cases even a therapeutic act to prevent their babies from suffering.

Saying "abortion solves nothing", he called on doctors not to give up their duty to defend the consciences of women from such "deception".

Catholic Church teaching holds that human life begins at conception.

PA Media