Pope Francis has called on American Catholics to cast their votes thoughtfully, urging them to “choose the lesser evil” between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. The Pope’s remarks came during a press briefing aboard a flight from Singapore to Rome after concluding a 12-day tour across Southeast Asia and Oceania.

Without explicitly naming either candidate, the 87-year-old pontiff expressed deep concern over key policies that he said were “against life.” He criticised Harris for her stance on abortion, labeling the procedure as “assassination,” while condemning Trump’s strict immigration policies, particularly his plans to deport millions of immigrants, which the Pope called a “grave sin.”

“Not voting is ugly. It is not good. You must vote,” Pope Francis urged, underscoring the importance of civic duty. He added, “Whether it is the one who is chasing away migrants or the one who kills children. Both are against life.”

This is not the first time Pope Francis has weighed in on American politics. During the 2016 U.S. election, the Pope criticised then-candidate Trump for his anti-immigrant rhetoric, even questioning his Christian values. The current intervention, however, comes at a pivotal moment, as both Harris and Trump are locked in a battle over two deeply polarising issues: abortion rights and immigration.

Harris, who has been vocal about her support for abortion rights, has promised to back any legislation restoring national protections for abortion access, following the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. On the other hand, Trump has made immigration a cornerstone of his platform, vowing to crack down on illegal immigration and deport millions, with no clear stance on whether detention camps might once again be used.

Pope Francis’ remarks are likely to influence the large Catholic voter base in the United States. With approximately 52 million Catholics, many of whom reside in key battleground states such as Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, their votes could be decisive in the upcoming November elections.

The Pope’s message reflects the ethical struggle many Catholics face when weighing issues such as abortion and immigration. While the Vatican has traditionally opposed abortion, Pope Francis has also been a staunch advocate for the humane treatment of immigrants and refugees. His call to “choose the lesser evil” leaves many voters to reflect deeply on the moral and social implications of their vote.

As the U.S. election draws closer, this unexpected statement from one of the world’s most influential religious leaders adds another layer of complexity to the already tense political landscape.

Credit: Sky News