Sunny Hostin, co-host of ABC’s daytime program The View, criticized pro-life Americans on Thursday, saying those who identify as pro-life but own firearms or support immigration enforcement and the death penalty are acting hypocritically, as reported by Fox News.

The discussion followed recent remarks from Pope Leo XIV, who was asked during an EWTN News interview about consistency in pro-life positions.

The pope responded, “Someone who says ‘I’m against abortion’ but says ‘I’m in favor of the death penalty’ is not really pro-life. Someone who says ‘I’m against abortion, but I’m in agreement with the inhuman treatment of immigrants in the United States,’ I don’t know if that’s pro-life.”

The pope’s comments were highlighted by The View, where co-host Joy Behar argued that consistency was the core of the issue.

“I think he’s right. If you are pro-choice and pro-death penalty, you’re at least consistent. The other way you would be consistent also, right? If you are anti-choice and anti-death penalty, that means that you are pro-life, right?” Behar said.

Hostin agreed and expanded on her position.

“Well, I think that’s right. I mean, I’ve said it on this show many times. I am at least consistent as a lifelong Catholic, I am against abortion. I’m also against the death penalty. I’m also against guns. I’m also against the starvation of children. I’m a humanitarian above all because I believe that all life is precious.”

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Pressed by Behar, Hostin went further in criticizing those who she said act inconsistently with their stated pro-life views.

“That’s why I find there is a hypocrisy with certain Christians who are ‘pro-life,’ but they will pull that electric chair switch. They are ‘pro-life’ but they have their AR-15s in their cabinet. They are ‘pro-life’ but they don’t mind immigrant families being torn from each other. They are ‘pro-life’ but they don’t care about little children’s subsidies being taken away from them. That is not pro-life.”

Hostin has often described herself as personally anti-abortion while still supporting Democrats who back abortion rights.

In December 2023, she stated, “I have mentioned many times I’m pro-life. I’ve received a lot of hate mail for it. That’s my personal position, but there has to be a separation between the government and religion. I don’t believe in abortion, at any time. I don’t believe in any exception to it.”

Despite that statement, Hostin opposed the Supreme Court’s decision in 2022 to overturn Roe v. Wade. She also engaged in debate with her co-hosts in 2024 on the topic of in vitro fertilization.

“Fifty percent of Americans believe that a human embryo is a baby. I am one of those,” she told co-host Sara Haines during the exchange.

Hostin’s comments on Thursday add to her record of drawing distinctions between her personal religious beliefs and her political support for abortion rights and Democratic policies.

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