Pope Francis Critiques Harris and Trump, Urges US Catholics to Choose ‘Lesser Evil’

Aboard the papal flight, Pope Francis took the opportunity on Friday to voice his criticism regarding the immigration policies of former U.S. President Donald Trump and the abortion rights stance of Vice President Kamala Harris. This commentary came during a press conference as he returned to Rome following a 12-day trip across Southeast Asia and Oceania.

When asked about the upcoming U.S. presidential election, the pope emphasized that not welcoming migrants is a “grave” sin. He also expressed a strong view on abortion, equating it to an “assassination.” The pontiff stressed that American Catholics would need to make a difficult choice when voting in November, urging them to consider the “lesser evil,” although he did not elaborate on the candidates.

At 87 years old, Pope Francis remarked that not participating in the electoral process is unacceptable. “Not voting is ugly,” he stated firmly. “It is not good. You must vote.”

He continued by posing a critical question: “Who is the lesser evil? That lady, or that gentleman? I don’t know. Everyone, in conscience, (has to) think and do this.”

With about 52 million American Catholics, their votes can sway elections significantly, particularly in pivotal states like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin where over 20% of adults identify as Catholic.

Although he generally maintains a careful stance on national political matters, Francis has not shied away from criticizing issues such as abortion, which Catholic doctrine opposes. He has previously condemned Trump’s rhetoric regarding immigrants, notably labeling him as “not Christian” during the 2016 election cycle.

On this occasion, the pope noted that the policies of both candidates were “against life.” He stated emphatically, “Whether it is the one who is chasing away migrants or the one who kills children, both are against life.”

Trump has vowed to take a hard stance on illegal immigration, promising to deport millions if he wins a second term. He has also hinted at the possibility of establishing detention camps for undocumented immigrants.

Conversely, Harris has pledged to sign any legislation that Congress passes to restore the national protections for abortion that were eliminated by the Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs decision.

The two candidates recently debated these critical issues, and the race is currently perceived as very close, with Harris holding a slight edge in various polls.

Pope Francis described immigration as a fundamental right, referencing biblical teachings about the importance of caring for orphans, widows, and foreigners. “Not giving welcome to migrants is a sin,” he remarked. “It is grave.”

Addressing the issue of abortion, he stated that it entails “killing a human being” and urged that there should be no rationalizations for such actions. “It is an assassination,” he declared, emphasizing the need for clear discourse on these subjects without caveats.

The interplay of political views among U.S. bishops has been a topic of ongoing dialogue, particularly with regards to election guidance. Since the 2007-08 election cycle, the bishops have issued similar guidance, with the latest version made public in November 2023, which asserts that the “threat of abortion” remains a “preeminent priority” for Catholics.