Pope Francis has once again weighed in on the U.S. presidential election, criticizing both the anti-immigration and pro-abortion policies of former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Speaking onboard the papal plane on his way back from travels to Asia, the Pope said both candidates’ stances are in effect “anti-life.”
“Be it the one who kicks out migrants or the one who (supports) killing babies,” both approaches are fundamentally against the Catholic Church’s stance on life, said the foremost leader of the Christian faith.
In his statements, Pope Francis reaffirmed the Church’s long-held position on abortion, describing it as “killing” a human being. He was clear in his condemnation of both abortion and policies that exclude or abandon migrants, adding, “To abandon migrants is something terrible, there’s evil there.”
He, therefore, urged U.S. voters to consider voting for the “lesser of two evils“. The Pontiff was quick to add though; “I don’t have a preference for the woman or the man,” he said.
The Pope of course refrained from mentioning any names, but Trump’s pledge to deport a lot of migrants allowed into the U.S. during Biden’s presidency is well known, and Harris’s rage over the Supreme Court overturning of Roe Vs Wade is a well-known political talking point in this election.
The Pope’s latest commentary comes as he continued to challenge political leaders on issues of social justice and human dignity across the world.
Not The First Time
However, the Pope’s comment on the American election is not his first. During the 2016 election, the Pope similarly rebuked Trump’s plans to build the border wall between the U.S. and Mexico, saying that anyone who builds walls to keep out migrants “is not Christian.”
But how influential is the Pope’s voice on this matter? Well, at least 75% of U.S. Catholics still view Pope Francis favorably, according to a Pew Research Center report – though an 8% decline since 2021. The report also highlighted a partisan divide, with 90% of Democratic-leaning Catholics overwhelmingly supporting the Pope, while support among Republican-leaning Catholics stands at 63%.
Pope Francis’ continued critique of political policies through a lens of Catholic doctrine highlights the delicate balance the Church has to navigate; advocating for policies that prioritize human dignity and life, whether regarding immigration or abortion.
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