‘Choose Lesser Evil’ — Pope Francis Advises Catholics On U.S Election
Pope Francis has advised Catholic voters in the United States to be careful in choosing their preferred candidates in the upcoming presidential election, urging them to “choose the lesser evil” between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.
The pontiff made the remark during a press conference on Friday, held aboard his papal airplane following a 12-day tour of Southeast Asia and Oceania.
While addressing the controversial positions of both candidates, Pope Francis criticized Harris’ support for abortion rights, labeling it “an assassination.”
Also, he criticised Trump for his hardline stance on immigration, stating that “not welcoming migrants is a sin.”
“You must choose the lesser evil,” Pope Francis said.
“Who is the lesser evil? That lady, or that gentleman? I don’t know. Everyone, in conscience, [has to] think and do this.”
The Pope emphasised the moral duty of voting, stressing that abstaining from the electoral process was “ugly” and “not good,” but the Pope refrained from indicating a personal preference for either candidate.
According to Fox News, the U.S. has more than 50 million Catholics, including a good number of voters in swing states like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, of which many are likely to play a role in the outcome of the election.
Harris recently stated in last Tuesday’s presidential debate that, if elected, she would work to codify Roe v. Wade into law, further solidifying her pro-abortion stance.
Meanwhile, Trump pledged to carry out the largest mass deportation in American history if reelected, targeting undocumented immigrants.
Speaking on both abortion and deportation of illegal immigrants, Pope Francis urged clarity, saying, “It is an assassination. On these things we must speak clearly. No ‘but’ or ‘however,’” He continued, “Not giving welcome to migrants is a sin. It is grave. Whether it is the one who is chasing away migrants, or the one who kills children, both are against life.”
This is not the first time the Pope has clashed with U.S. politicians.
In 2016, he publicly criticised Trump’s proposal to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, calling it “not Christian.”
He has also previously condemned President Joe Biden’s pro-abortion stance, aligning with the Catholic Church’s long-standing anti-abortion doctrine.
‘Choose Lesser Evil’ — Pope Francis Advises Catholics On U.S Election is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
