AFRICA

Pope Francis Criticises Both Trump and Harris But Urges Catholics to Choose ‘Lesser Evil’ 

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

Follow us on:

AriseNews

Recent Posts

Indonesian Government To Evacuate 16,000 Residents After Mount Lewotobi Eruption

Indonesia is evacuating 16,000 residents after Mount Lewotobi erupted, resulting in nine deaths and significant…

6 mins ago

Philippines Stockpiles Food, Evacuates Towns As Typhoon Yinxing Threatens Northeast

The Philippines is stockpiling food, evacuating towns, and deploying soldiers in preparation for Typhoon Yinxing,…

20 mins ago

Harris Wraps Up Campaign in Philadelphia, Trump Rallies in Michigan as Tight Election Nears

Harris has concluded her campaign in Philadelphia while Trump gathers support in Michigan as election…

34 mins ago

Pennsylvania Judge Approves Elon Musk’s $1Million Voter Giveaway

A Pennsylvania judge has approved Elon Musk's plan to give away $1 million in support…

48 mins ago

Israel Hostages Forum Calls for Investigation into Leak of Confidential Documents by Netanyahu Aide

The Israel Hostages Group has urged for an investigation after a Netanyahu aide allegedly leaked…

49 mins ago

Japan Launches World’s First Wooden Satellite LignoSat To Test Timber’s Potential In Space

Japan has launched LignoSat, the world’s first wooden satellite, to explore timber's potential in sustainable…

52 mins ago