Pope Francis recently addressed American Catholics about the upcoming 2024 U.S. presidential election, urging them to select the “lesser evil” between Republican candidate Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. Although he did not explicitly name either candidate, the Pope criticized both for policies he described as “anti-life,” particularly in regard to abortion and migration, two issues of significant concern to the Catholic Church.
“Both are against life, be it the one who kicks out migrants, or the one who kills babies,” Francis said during an airborne press conference while returning to Rome from a four-nation tour of Asia. The Pope emphasized that while he is not American and therefore won’t be voting, he believes American Catholics should vote based on their conscience.
The Argentine Jesuit has consistently made the defense of migrants a priority throughout his papacy and frequently speaks about their rights, a theme he stressed again. “Migration is a right described in Scripture,” Francis said, adding that anyone who ignores the Biblical call to welcome the stranger is committing a “grave sin.”
At the same time, the Pope spoke in stark terms about abortion. “To have an abortion is to kill a human being. You may like the word or not, but it’s killing,” he stated. Francis has previously upheld the Church’s doctrine forbidding abortion, and in his comments, he underscored the scientific basis for his views, claiming that human life begins shortly after conception.
When asked how Catholics should approach voting, Francis advised that voters should fulfill their civic duty but also weigh the moral implications. “One should vote and choose the lesser evil. Who is the lesser evil, the woman or the man? I don’t know. Everyone in their conscience should think and do it.”
Both the Harris and Trump campaigns declined to comment on the Pope’s remarks. Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden, a practicing Catholic who supports abortion rights, has previously faced criticism from some bishops and conservative Catholics. In 2021, after a meeting with Pope Francis, Biden revealed that the Pope had assured him that he was a “good Catholic” and should continue receiving Communion, despite his stance on abortion.
This is not the first time Pope Francis has weighed in on U.S. elections. In 2016, he criticized Donald Trump’s plan to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, declaring that anyone who builds walls to keep out migrants “is not Christian.”
During the news conference, the Pope also addressed several other issues:
- Notre Dame Cathedral: He denied rumors that he would attend the inauguration of the restored Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris this December, but expressed interest in visiting the Canary Islands to highlight the plight of migrants.
- Possible Argentina Visit: Francis tamped down speculation about a potential visit to his home country, Argentina, later this year, saying that while he hopes to go, “nothing has been decided.”
- China: Francis described China as a “promise and a hope” for the Catholic Church and reiterated his wish to visit the country someday.
- Sexual Abuse Scandal: The Pope condemned sexual abuse within the Church, calling it “demonic,” and commented on the latest revelations involving abuse by French priest Abbe Pierre.
The Pope’s comments have added a significant moral dimension to the political discourse surrounding the U.S. election, urging voters to weigh their decisions carefully in light of the Church’s teachings.
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