Vatican City, September 15, 2024 – In a candid discussion aboard the papal plane, Pope Francis described the 2024 U.S. presidential election as a difficult moral choice between “the lesser of two evils.” The pontiff highlighted concerns with both former President Donald Trump’s immigration policies and Vice President Kamala Harris’ support for abortion rights, calling both stances “against life.”
“One must choose the lesser of two evils. Who is the lesser of two evils? That lady or that gentleman? I don’t know,” Francis stated, leaving the decision to the conscience of American voters.
Pope Francis, known for his outspoken views on global and domestic issues, has taken a more vocal role in politics than his predecessors. While affirming the Catholic Church’s opposition to abortion, he stressed that other life-related issues, like immigration, deserve equal attention.
Criticism of Trump’s Immigration Policies
The Pope expressed strong disapproval of Trump’s anti-immigrant measures, which include building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. “To send migrants away, to leave them wherever you want, to leave them … it’s something terrible, there is evil there,” said Francis, urging that the moral duty to protect human life extends beyond the womb to include vulnerable migrants.
This is not the first time the Pope has criticized Trump’s immigration policies. In 2016, he referred to Trump’s proposed border wall as “not Christian,” a stance he maintains in light of the upcoming election.
Harris’ Support for Abortion Rights
Turning to Kamala Harris, Pope Francis reaffirmed his belief that abortion is the “deliberate destruction of a human life,” calling it an “assassination.” Despite this, the Pope refrained from explicitly endorsing any candidate, leaving it to voters to reflect on their values.
While the Catholic Church remains unwavering in its pro-life teachings, Pope Francis has encouraged a broader discussion that includes other critical human life issues. His remarks signal a continued focus on maintaining a balance between the Church’s teachings on life and other moral concerns.
A Divided Catholic Electorate
The 2024 election exposes divisions within the U.S. Catholic community. According to Pew Research, 52% of Catholic voters lean Republican, while 44% lean Democrat. In the 2020 election, Catholics were nearly evenly split, with 50% supporting Joe Biden and 49% backing Donald Trump.
Though many U.S. bishops have emphasized abortion as the most important moral issue, Francis has urged a more inclusive approach, incorporating other life issues such as immigration and climate change.
Pope’s Final Message: A Call to Conscience
As the election draws near, Pope Francis’ remarks challenge American voters to consider both candidates through a moral lens. He emphasized that the decision should be driven by personal conscience, weighing all issues that affect human life and dignity.
“For both candidates, there are serious moral concerns,” Francis remarked. “Everyone with a conscience should think on this and do it.”
