Pope Francis Criticizes U.S. Presidential Candidates, Urges Catholics to Choose the “Lesser Evil

Pope Francis has delivered a striking critique of the major U.S. presidential candidates, urging Catholic voters to select the “lesser evil” in the November election.

In a rare foray into political commentary during a Friday press conference concluding his Southeast Asia tour, the Pope condemned both candidates for their positions on critical issues. He labeled Donald Trump’s stance on immigration as a “grave” sin and criticized Kamala Harris’s support for abortion, equating it to “assassination.”

“Both are against life,” Pope Francis stated, highlighting Trump’s immigration policies and Harris’s views on abortion without naming them directly.

Addressing the American Catholic community, which numbers around 52 million out of 1.4 billion global Catholics, the Pope stressed the importance of voting. Although he noted he would not be participating in the U.S. election due to his non-citizen status, he urged Americans to make their voices heard.

“Not voting is ugly. It is not good. You must vote,” the Pope emphasized. “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.”

The Pope’s comments reflect his ongoing stance against abortion, which Catholic doctrine strongly opposes, framing it as a significant moral issue.