Pope Francis advised Catholics to vote in the upcoming November presidential election, urging them to choose the “lesser evil” between the two major candidates, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. His comments, though not explicitly mentioning either candidate by name, came during an in-flight news conference as the pontiff wrapped up a 12-day tour of Southeast Asia. The Pope’s remarks, which were framed as a moral reflection, have generated significant attention, especially within the global Catholic community, as he underscored the importance of voting and the weight of moral responsibility in political decisions.
A Call for Moral Reflection
Pope Francis’s statements came in response to a journalist’s question seeking his counsel for Catholic voters in the U.S., a country where Catholics make up a significant portion of the electorate, numbering around 52 million. Without directly endorsing any candidate, Francis emphasized the moral complexity of the decision, noting that both candidates hold positions that the Catholic Church traditionally opposes.
He labeled both positions as being “against life,” with his critique directed at policies associated with each candidate. While he did not name Donald Trump, the Pope appeared to refer to the former president’s stance on immigration, calling the failure to welcome migrants a “grave sin.” In contrast, Kamala Harris, the current vice president, was implicitly criticized for her strong pro-choice position, which Pope Francis likened to an “assassination.”
“Both are against life, be it the one who kicks out migrants or be it the one who kills babies,” the Pope remarked, invoking the moral dilemmas Catholic voters face. His language, particularly regarding abortion, echoed his past denunciations of the practice, consistent with the Church’s unchanging opposition to abortion as a violation of the sanctity of life.
A History of Speaking Out
This is not the first time Pope Francis has weighed in on U.S. political matters. During the 2016 election, he famously commented that then-candidate Trump’s harsh anti-immigrant rhetoric made him “not Christian.” On the flight back from Southeast Asia, the Pope reaffirmed his previous stance on immigration, describing the rejection and expulsion of migrants as “ugly” and “mean.”
Francis has long been an outspoken advocate for the rights and dignity of migrants, often positioning this as a core aspect of his papacy. In his latest comments, the Pope seemed to suggest that the moral failing of excluding and deporting migrants is equivalent to other issues that Catholics might consider at the polls, such as abortion.
Trump’s immigration policies, particularly his promises to crack down on illegal immigration and deport millions of immigrants, have been a defining feature of his political platform. As recently as Friday afternoon, Trump reiterated his commitment to this agenda if he is re-elected, intensifying the focus on immigration in his campaign.
On the other hand, Kamala Harris has made the protection of abortion rights a key part of her platform, especially after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in 2022 to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling that had previously ensured federal protections for abortion. Harris has vowed to expand nationwide access to abortion services and ensure women’s reproductive rights are not further eroded.
The Lesser Evil
Despite the Pope’s strong moral rhetoric, he stopped short of telling Catholics whom to vote for. Instead, he left the decision to individual conscience, advising Catholics to weigh the issues carefully and choose the “lesser evil.”
“Not voting is ugly. It is not good. You must vote,” the Pope said. “You must choose the lesser evil. Who is the lesser evil? That lady, or that gentleman? I don’t know. Everyone, in conscience, (has to) think and do this.”
This call for discernment reflects a broader theme in Francis’s papacy—encouraging individuals to engage deeply with their conscience and to act in ways that uphold the Church’s teachings while navigating the complexities of the modern world. The Pope’s message resonated as a reminder that Catholic teachings on life are holistic, addressing not only abortion but also other critical issues such as immigration, poverty, and human dignity.
Implications for Catholic Voters
Pope Francis’s comments are likely to have a significant impact on Catholic voters in the U.S., a group that has historically been divided on political issues. The Church’s teachings on abortion, immigration, and social justice continue to shape the political beliefs of many American Catholics, though they do not always translate into uniform voting patterns.
With the 2024 election looming, the Pope’s call to action underscores the moral and ethical stakes at play. By framing the decision as a choice between “lesser evils,” Francis is urging Catholics to navigate the political landscape with a sense of personal responsibility, even in the face of imperfect choices.
As the election approaches, the Pope’s message will likely resonate with Catholic voters grappling with the difficult decision of whom to support. Whether they align with Trump’s stance on social issues or Harris’s advocacy for reproductive rights, the Pope’s exhortation reminds them that their vote carries not only political weight but also moral significance.
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