Pope Francis has advised American Catholics to choose the “lesser evil” when casting their votes in November.
Addressing an in-flight press conference returning from a 12-day tour across Southeast Asia and Oceania, the Pope criticized both leading candidates, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, for policies he deemed “against life.”
Pope Francis highlighted Trump’s stance on immigration, particularly his plans to deport millions of immigrants, as a “grave sin,” emphasizing that not welcoming migrants violates scriptural teachings.
Conversely, he criticized Harris for her support of abortion rights, equating abortion to “assassination.” The Pope’s remarks were made without directly naming the candidates, but his references were explicit.
“Whether it is the one who is chasing away migrants or the one who kills children,” Pope Francis stated, “both are against life.” He urged Catholics, who constitute a significant portion of the US electorate, to make a conscientious decision, suggesting that not voting would be “ugly.”
This intervention marks a rare moment in the intersection of religion and politics in the US, especially as American Catholics, numbering around 52 million, are often seen as pivotal in swing states like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The Pope’s guidance comes at a time when the Catholic vote could influence the outcome of the election, given the closely divided political preferences within this demographic.