Pope Francis, during a press conference aboard the papal plane returning from a trip across Asia, criticized both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump for their stances on abortion, stating they are “both against life.”
On his flight from Singapore to Jakarta, the Pope pointed out the moral dilemma American voters could face in the upcoming November election. When asked how Catholics should approach voting between a candidate who supports abortion rights and another who advocates deporting millions of migrants, he said, “They are both against life — the one who discards migrants and the one who kills children.”
In response to whether Catholics could morally support a candidate who backs abortion rights, the Pope emphasized, “One must vote,” even when faced with difficult moral choices. He noted the challenge of picking between candidates with significant flaws, adding, “One must choose the lesser of two evils. Who is the lesser of two evils? That lady or that gentleman? I do not know.” He urged American Catholics to act with conscience in making their decision.
He also condemned the mistreatment of migrants, calling it a “grave sin,” and highlighted that immigration is a fundamental right rooted in biblical teachings. Drawing from the Old Testament, he reminded listeners of the call to care for “the orphan, the widow, and the stranger — that is, the migrant.”
Reiterating the Church’s stance on abortion, he referred to it as “murder” and added, “Whether you like the word or not, it is a killing. It is an assassination, and on this, we should be clear.”
In addition to his comments on the U.S. election, Pope Francis expressed his satisfaction with ongoing dialogue with China, calling the country “a promise and a hope for the Church.”
