Pope Francis, known for his outspoken views on global and political matters, described the upcoming U.S. presidential election as a choice between the “lesser of two evils,” specifically referring to former President Donald Trump’s anti-migrant policies and Vice President Kamala Harris’ stance on abortion rights. The Pope highlighted both issues as being “against life,” drawing attention to the difficult moral decision U.S. voters face.
During a press conference on the papal plane, Pope Francis addressed the moral dilemmas that confront voters, urging people to reflect on their conscience before casting their votes. “One must choose the lesser of two evils. Who is the lesser of two evils? That lady or that gentleman? I don’t know,” Francis remarked. While he did not directly express a preference for either candidate, he emphasized the importance of voters considering the broader moral implications of their choices. “Everyone with a conscience should think on this and do it,” he added, referring to both Harris and Trump.
Pope Francis has become more vocal about political matters compared to his predecessors, advocating for a more open and inclusive Catholic Church. Although he remains steadfast in the Church’s position against abortion, labeling it as the “deliberate destruction of a human life,” Francis has stressed that this issue cannot be separated from other life-related concerns, such as immigration.
The Pope’s stance on immigration has long been clear, and he has consistently opposed policies that seek to turn away or marginalize migrants. “To send migrants away, to leave them wherever you want, to leave them… it’s something terrible, there is evil there. To send away a child from the womb of the mother is an assassination, because there is life. We must speak about these things clearly,” Francis said, highlighting his belief in the sanctity of life, whether it is an unborn child or a displaced migrant.
This is not the first time Francis has weighed in on U.S. politics. In 2016, he condemned then-presidential candidate Trump’s proposal to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, calling it “not Christian.” His comments on Trump’s wall echoed the Pope’s broader vision of compassion and care for vulnerable populations, particularly migrants and refugees.
Francis has also challenged U.S. Catholic bishops on their approach to prioritizing abortion as the most important life issue. While some bishops in the U.S. have argued that abortion is the “pre-eminent” issue, Francis has urged a more holistic approach to the defense of life, incorporating the plight of migrants into the conversation. His views are a clear departure from some more conservative elements within the U.S. Catholic hierarchy.
In 2021, when bishops were debating whether to deny communion to public figures who support abortion rights, including President Joe Biden, Francis urged them to take a “pastoral” approach rather than a political one. The Pope himself has never denied communion to anyone, underscoring his emphasis on mercy and pastoral care over rigid political judgments.
Moreover, Pope Francis has also expressed strong opinions on family life, criticizing couples who choose to have pets instead of children. His views align with those of JD Vance, Trump’s running mate in the upcoming election, who has made controversial remarks about women without children. Vance, a converted Catholic, referred to childless women as “childless cat ladies” and suggested that the “leadership class” in the U.S. who don’t have children are more “sociopathic.” Such comments reflect the overlapping views between some conservative Catholics and Pope Francis on issues of family, although their perspectives on broader political issues may diverge.
Despite his calls for a more inclusive and open Church, Francis’ positions on issues such as abortion and family planning still resonate with conservative Catholics. However, many U.S. Catholics are divided on these topics. According to a Pew Research study, 52% of Catholic registered voters identify as Republican or lean Republican, while 44% identify as or lean Democrat. The study also showed that U.S. Catholics were almost evenly split in the 2020 election, with 50% voting for Biden and 49% supporting Trump.
In contrast to the Church’s strict stance on abortion, the Pew study revealed that a majority of U.S. Catholics – 61% – believe that abortion should be legal in all or most cases. This discrepancy between Church teachings and the opinions of many lay Catholics underscores the complexity of the political and moral landscape for Catholic voters in the U.S.
Pope Francis’ remarks on the U.S. election and broader issues of life are likely to spark further debate among Catholic voters. His call for a balanced consideration of both abortion and immigration challenges the narrative that prioritizes one issue over the other. As the U.S. presidential election draws nearer, many Catholic voters will undoubtedly grapple with their own consciences, as they navigate the complex and intertwined moral choices highlighted by Pope Francis.
