Pope Francis has criticized both former US President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris over their stances on immigration and abortion, respectively. During a press conference on his flight back to Rome from Singapore, the pope stated that not welcoming migrants is a “grave” sin and likened having an abortion to an “assassination”. He urged US Catholics to “choose the lesser evil” when voting in November, without elaborating on who that might be.
The pope’s comments came after a 12-day tour across Southeast Asia and Oceania, where he spoke to journalists about the upcoming US presidential election. Although he did not mention Trump and Harris by name, he specifically referenced their policies and genders. Francis emphasized that Catholics should vote, stating that “not voting is ugly” and “not good”. He encouraged voters to think and act in accordance with their conscience.
Pope Francis has been vocal about his opposition to abortion, which is forbidden by Catholic teaching, and has previously criticized Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric. During the 2016 election, he said Trump was “not Christian” in his views. The pope’s comments on Friday highlighted the complex moral dilemmas facing US Catholics, who number roughly 52 million nationwide and are often seen as crucial swing voters.
Francis criticized both candidates’ policies as “against life”, stating that “whether it is the one who is chasing away migrants, or the one who kills children, both are against life”. Trump has promised to crack down on illegal immigration and deport millions of immigrants already in the US if elected, while Harris has promised to sign legislation restoring national protections for abortion access.
The pope emphasized the importance of welcoming migrants, citing Bible passages that call for society to care for orphans, widows, and foreigners. He stated that not giving welcome to migrants is a sin and “grave”. Francis also reiterated his stance on abortion, saying it is “killing a human being” and an “assassination”, with no excuses or exceptions.
The US bishops have issued guidance on election priorities, stating that the “threat of abortion” is a “preeminent priority” for Catholics. However, the pope’s comments highlight the need for voters to balance competing moral priorities when making their decision.
