Pope Francis has advised Catholic voters to carefully consider their options in the upcoming presidential election, describing both major candidates as “against life.”
Without mentioning names, the Pope alluded to former President Donald Trump’s stance on immigration and Vice President Kamala Harris’s position on abortion, urging Catholics to vote for the “lesser evil.”
During a press conference aboard his flight after a 12-day tour of Southeast Asia, the pontiff was asked to provide guidance to American Catholics as they approach the November election.
The Pope emphasised the importance of participating in the electoral process, stating, “Not voting is ugly. It is not good. You must vote.”
“Both are against life, be it the one who kicks out migrants, or be it the one who kills babies,” Pope Francis said, seemingly referring to Trump’s immigration policies and Harris’s support for abortion rights. He described the expulsion of migrants as a “grave sin” and compared abortion to “assassination,” further highlighting his deep moral concerns about both issues.
Trump, who has consistently promised to crack down on illegal immigration, recently reiterated his pledge to deport millions of immigrants if re-elected. Meanwhile, Harris has vowed to expand abortion protections in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022, positioning reproductive rights as a key issue in her campaign.
The Pope did not explicitly endorse either candidate but urged Catholics to reflect on their choices. “You must choose the lesser evil. Who is the lesser evil? That lady, or that gentleman? I don’t know. Everyone, in conscience, (has to) think and do this,” he remarked, leaving the decision to individual voters.
Pope Francis’s remarks are particularly significant for American Catholics, who number 52 million among the global Catholic population of 1.4 billion. His comments underscore the moral and ethical dilemmas facing voters who must navigate the complexities of both candidates’ platforms.
The Pope has long been vocal on both immigration and abortion, issues central to Catholic doctrine. In 2016, he famously criticized Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric, calling it “not Christian.” On Friday, he reiterated that expelling migrants is “ugly” and “mean,” expressing concern for those fleeing hardship in search of a better life.
Chioma Kalu
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