During a press conference aboard his papal plane on Friday, Pope Francis advised Catholic voters in the United States to exercise caution when selecting their preferred candidates in the upcoming presidential election.
He urged them to “choose the lesser evil” between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.
The Pope’s comments came after a 12-day tour of Southeast Asia and Oceania, where he addressed the controversial positions held by both candidates. Pope Francis criticized Harris for her support of abortion rights, calling it “an assassination.” Conversely, he condemned Trump’s hardline stance on immigration, asserting that “not welcoming migrants is a sin.”
“You must choose the lesser evil,” Pope Francis stated. “Who is the lesser evil? That lady, or that gentleman? I don’t know. Everyone, in conscience, [has to] think and do this.”
The Pope underscored the moral imperative of voting, condemning abstention from the electoral process as “ugly” and “not good.” Despite his pointed critiques, Pope Francis did not endorse either candidate.
With over 50 million Catholics in the U.S., including significant numbers in swing states like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, their votes could be crucial in determining the election outcome.
In a recent debate, Harris reiterated her commitment to codify Roe v. Wade into law, reinforcing her pro-abortion rights stance. Meanwhile, Trump has pledged to execute the largest mass deportation in U.S. history if re-elected, targeting undocumented immigrants.
Pope Francis called for clear discourse on both issues, stating, “It is an assassination. On these things we must speak clearly. No ‘but’ or ‘however.’” He added, “Not giving welcome to migrants is a sin. It is grave. Whether it is the one who is chasing away migrants, or the one who kills children, both are against life.”
This is not the first time the Pope has clashed with U.S. politicians. In 2016, he criticized Trump’s proposal to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, deeming it “not Christian.” He has also previously condemned President Joe Biden’s pro-abortion stance, aligning with the Catholic Church’s longstanding anti-abortion doctrine.
