Pope Francis Criticizes Both US Presidential Candidates, Urges Voters to Choose the “Lesser Evil”

• Sep 14, 2024

Pope Francis has advised American Catholics to weigh their choices carefully as they prepare to vote in the upcoming November election. During a news conference at the end of his 12-day tour through Southeast Asia, the Pope expressed concerns about both major US presidential candidates. He did not name them directly, but his comments appeared to target former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Addressing reporters, the Pope declared that both candidates were "against life" — one for their stance on immigration, and the other for their position on abortion. The pontiff said, “Both are against life, be it the one who kicks out migrants, or be it the one who kills babies.” His remarks seemed to criticize Trump’s immigration policies and Harris’s pro-choice stance on abortion.

While Pope Francis avoided directly mentioning names, the implications were clear. He referred to Trump’s actions on immigration, calling them a “grave sin,” and likened Harris’s support for abortion rights to an "assassination." He explained that expelling migrants and refusing them the chance to live a better life is "ugly and mean." These comments follow Trump's continued commitment to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, a key aspect of his campaign.

On abortion, the Pope did not mince words. He reiterated his belief that terminating a pregnancy is equivalent to murder. "Forcing a child from the mother’s womb is an assassination because there is life there," he stated, aligning with longstanding Catholic teachings against abortion.

When asked by reporters to provide guidance for Catholic voters, Pope Francis encouraged them to participate in the electoral process, though he admitted he was not American and could not vote himself. He warned against abstaining from voting, calling it "ugly" and urging citizens to choose the "lesser evil." In a reflection of his neutral stance, he emphasized that voters must decide which candidate represents the lesser harm, saying, “That lady, or that gentleman? I don’t know. Everyone, in conscience, (has to) think and do this.”

The pontiff has previously criticized Trump, once suggesting that Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric during the 2016 election made him “not Christian.” His latest remarks show that the Pope continues to be concerned about political leaders’ impact on issues like immigration and abortion.

American Catholics, who make up 52 million of the 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, are expected to play a significant role in the election. Pope Francis’s call for reflection and careful voting may resonate with many who find themselves conflicted about the candidates' positions on key moral issues. As the election approaches, it remains to be seen how his words will influence Catholic voters across the country.