Pope Francis issued a strong condemnation of abortion Monday, calling the practice “horrific” and part of a “throwaway culture” that devalues human life, a notable shift in rhetoric for the pontiff who has drawn praise for his inclusive and compassionate nature.

“It is horrific even to think that there are children, victims of abortion, who will never see the light of day,” he lamented during his annual State of the World address.

The remarks are surprising to some, given that Francis has made a point of focusing less on divisive issues and more on ways to expand the church’s reach. Though Francis has always sternly opposed abortion, some observers have suggested that his statement was a nod to conservative Catholics.

“Unfortunately, what is thrown away is not only food and dispensable objects, but often human beings themselves, who are discarded as unnecessary,” said the pope, remarks that will certainly draw praise from more conservative corners of the Catholic Church.

Though more pointed than his typical style, Francis’ rhetoric on abortion is still significantly dialed back when compared to his predecessors’, who regularly equated the practice with murder.

Francis’ speech touched on a range of issues beyond abortion, from human trafficking to the children being used as soldiers in conflicts throughout the world. He also called for migrants and seniors to be treated with respect and dignity.

The day before his State of the World address, the pope also encouraged mothers to breast-feed during church.

This is not the first time the pontiff has weighed in on a divisive political issue. Earlier this year, he denounced trickle-down economics, along with much of the world’s myopic focus on personal wealth.