Pope Francis criticises Trump and Harris as he weighs in on US election, telling Catholics to choose the ‘lesser evil’

13 September 2024, 22:46

Pope Francis holds a news conference aboard the papal plane on his flight back after his 12-day journey across Southeast Asia and Oceania, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (Guglielmo Mangiapane/Pool Photo via AP)
Pope Francis holds a news conference aboard the papal plane on his flight back after his 12-day journey across Southeast Asia and Oceania, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (Guglielmo Mangiapane/Pool Photo via AP). Picture: Alamy

By Danielle de Wolfe

Pope Francis XI has weighed in on the US election, telling voting Catholics to choose the "lesser evil" as he criticised both candidates.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Speaking on the upcoming race to the White House, the religious leader took aim at Trump and Harris for what he called anti-life policies on abortion and migration.

"Both are against life, be it the one who kicks out migrants or the one who (supports) killing babies," Francis said. "Both are against life," the Pope said during an airborne press conference.

The Argentine Jesuit was asked to provide counsel to American Catholic mid-air on his return trip to Rome, telling US voters it is their civic duty to vote.

It follows the religious leader's four-nation tour through Asia.

"One should vote, and choose the lesser evil," he said. "Who is the lesser evil, the woman or man? I don't know."

Pope Francis holds a news conference aboard the papal plane on his flight back after his 12-day journey across Southeast Asia and Oceania, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (Guglielmo Mangiapane/Pool Photo via AP)
Pope Francis holds a news conference aboard the papal plane on his flight back after his 12-day journey across Southeast Asia and Oceania, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (Guglielmo Mangiapane/Pool Photo via AP). Picture: Alamy

Stressing that he was not an American and therefore would not be voting himself, Francis

Neither the Republican candidate Donald Trump nor the Democratic candidate Kamala Harris was mentioned by name.

But Francis nevertheless expressed himself in stark terms when asked to weigh in on their positions on two hot-button issues in the US election - abortion and migration - that are also of major concern to the Catholic Church.

Francis has made the plight of migrants a priority of his pontificate and speaks out emphatically and frequently about it.

While strongly upholding church teaching forbidding abortion, Francis hasn't emphasised church doctrine as much as his predecessors.

Read more: Dame Esther Rantzen pleads to Sir Keir Starmer for vote on assisted dying after he vowed commitment to issue

Read more: 'People have to wake up': Ex MI6 chief warns Russian sabotage is 'already happening' in Europe

He said migration is a right described in Scripture, and that anyone who does not follow the Biblical call to welcome the stranger is committing a "grave sin".

He was also blunt in speaking about abortion.

"To have an abortion is to kill a human being. You may like the word or not, but it's killing," he said. "We have to see this clearly."

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris participate during an ABC News presidential debate at the National Constitution Center, (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris participate during an ABC News presidential debate at the National Constitution Center, (AP Photo/Alex Brandon). Picture: Alamy

Asked though what to do at the polls, Francis recalled the civic duty to vote.

"Everyone in their conscience should think and do it," he said.

It is not the first time Francis has weighed in on a US election. In the run-up to the 2016 election, Francis was asked about Mr Trump's plan to build a wall at the US-Mexican border. He declared then that anyone who builds a wall to keep out migrants "is not Christian".

In responding on Friday, Francis recalled that he celebrated Mass at the US-Mexico border and "there were so many shoes of the migrants who ended up badly there".

The US bishops conference, for its part, has called abortion the "preeminent priority" for American Catholics in its published voter advice.

Ms Harris has strongly defended abortion rights.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Nearly 1,000 migrants crossed the English Channel on small boats on the day that four people, including a two-year-old boy, died in the strait.

Nearly 1,000 migrants crossed Channel yesterday - as a two-year-old boy and three adults dead in double tragedy

A satellite image provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration showing Tropical Storm Milton off the coast of Mexico

Hurricane Milton grows stronger as it heads towards Florida

A close-up of Christopher Ciccone

Madonna’s younger brother, Christopher Ciccone, dies aged 63

An aerial view of the village of Donja Jablanica in Bosnia following a landslide

International rescuers arrive in Bosnia after devastating floods and landslides

Four personal belongings have been found in the search for Victoria Taylor

'Dangerous' weather 'may impact Victoria Taylor search' after missing mum's cap and rucksack found by river

Smoke rises in Dahiyeh, Beirut, Lebanon, after Israeli air strikes

Israeli strike on Gaza mosque kills 19 as bombardment of Beirut intensifies

A damaged house behind fragments of a Russian military plane that was shot down on the outskirts of Kostyantynivka in the Donetsk region of Ukraine

Man dies as Russia strikes Ukraine with drones and missiles

A Tunisian voter casts her ballot at a polling station

Tunisians vote in third presidential election since Arab Spring

Iain Dale questions the goverment's actions over their first 100 days

93 days in and the government already runs the risk of cementing their reputation as 'divided, incompetent and on the take'

The disgraced surgeon is in prison for undertaking 'unapproved' procedures on cancer patients

Disgraced breast surgeon jailed for ‘unnecessary’ procedures on over 1,000 patients to be stripped of £1m pension

Jay Cartmell's parents have paid tribute to their son

'The best boy that anyone could wish for': Parents pay tribute to son, 8, who died after gun went off in farm tragedy

Pope Francis waves from his studio window

Pope names 21 new cardinals, cementing mark on prelates who will elect successor

Sue Gray has resigned

Sue Gray quits role as Starmer's chief of staff after position risked becoming 'distraction' to Government

This Satellite image provided by NOAA shows Hurricane Kirk, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024 in the Atlantic Ocean. (NOAA via AP)

Brits face 'heavy rain' and 'strong wind' as aftermath of Hurricane Kirk set to hit UK

Sue Gray Attends The Covid Inquiry In Belfast

Labour minister sidesteps questions on future for Sue Gray as rumours swirl over dismissal

Several wallabies have been spotted in Nottinghamshire

Multiple wild wallabies spotted in Nottinghamshire prompts wildlife experts to ask public to report new sightings