Rome (CNN) Pope Francis compared abortion to hiring a "hitman to solve a problem" during his weekly general audience Wednesday in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.

"But how can an act that suppresses innocent and defenseless budding human life be therapeutic, civil or simply human?" the pontiff said.

He asked if it was right "to do away with a human life to solve a problem," adding: "Is it right to hire a hitman to solve a problem? One cannot do this, it is not right to do away with a human being, albeit small, to solve a problem."

Pope Francis delivers his message during his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square on Wednesday.

It's not the first time the Pope has spoken out on abortion, a practice that goes against the traditional teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.

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