Italian Court Recognizes 3 Parents of 1 Child in Ruling at Odds With Government

The ruling recognized the adopted father, who is married to the biological father, causing controversy in the Catholic country, where surrogacy is banned.A picture shows St. Peter’s basilica at St. Peter’s square in The Vatican on Dec. 15, 2025. Tiziana Fabi/AFP via Getty Images5/13/2026|Updated: 5/13/2026An Italian court has granted a child three legally recognized parents—two fathers and a mother—in ​a landmark ruling at odds with the country’s socially conservative government and Catholic culture.The decision sparked anger when it was reported ‌on Tuesday by several Italian media outlets and confirmed by the lawyer of the legally recognized fathers.