Pontiff condemns both abortion and anti-immigrant policies, guiding Catholic voters ahead of the 2024 election.
Pope Francis recently sparked headlines with strong remarks about the upcoming 2024 U.S. presidential election, criticizing the policies of both former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. During a press conference aboard his papal plane, following a 12-day tour across Southeast Asia and Oceania, the pope addressed the moral complexities that American Catholic voters face. Although he did not mention the candidates by name, his critique was clear: he denounced Trump’s anti-immigration stance and Harris’ support for abortion rights, urging Catholics to vote for the “lesser of two evils.”
Immigration as a ‘Grave Sin’
In his remarks, Pope Francis emphasized the Catholic Church’s long-standing commitment to social justice, particularly concerning the treatment of migrants. He condemned Trump’s policies, including his plans to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, as fundamentally against Christian values.
Citing the Bible’s mandate to care for orphans, widows, and outsiders, the pope declared, “Sending migrants away, not allowing them to grow, not letting them have life, is something wrong; it is cruelty.” Francis reiterated that rejecting migrants is a “grave sin,” echoing similar sentiments from earlier in his papacy, such as his 2013 visit to Lampedusa, an island that serves as a gateway for migrants entering Europe.
Trump’s immigration policy has been a central issue in both his 2016 campaign and his 2024 bid for re-election. He has promised to crack down on illegal immigration and has not ruled out building detention camps for undocumented individuals. The pontiff’s criticism, though not new, takes on a heightened significance in the context of a divided America where immigration continues to polarize voters.
Pope Francis weighs in on the US election.
Summary: he says they both suck so follow your conscience and vote for the lesser of 2 evils.https://t.co/IWDxOD4rHO
— Mike Lewis (@mfjlewis) September 13, 2024Abortion is ‘Assassination’
Pope Francis did not hold back when addressing Kamala Harris’ pro-choice stance. Describing abortion as “assassination,” he made it clear that abortion, in any form, is a direct violation of the sanctity of life.
“Sending a child away from the womb of the mother is murder because there is life,” said Francis. “We need to communicate openly about these issues. Nothing ‘but’ or ‘although’.
The topic of abortion has been hotly contested in the US for a long time, especially after the federal right to an abortion was declared unconstitutional by the US Supreme Court in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case in 2022.Harris, who has consistently supported reproductive rights, has vowed to sign any legislation that would restore national protections for abortion access.
This puts many Catholic voters in a moral dilemma, as the Church has always maintained its strict opposition to abortion. Pope Francis’ equating of abortion with murder is likely to resonate strongly with devout Catholics who prioritize life issues in their voting decisions.
The ‘Lesser of Two Evils’
Despite his firm condemnation of both candidates’ policies, Pope Francis urged Catholics to vote.Declaring that “not voting is ugly,” he advised people to select the “lesser of two evils.”
“Who is the lesser evil? That lady, or that gentleman? I don’t know. Everyone, in conscience, must think and decide,” he continued.
The pope’s comments reflect the deep division among Catholic voters in the United States, a key demographic in battleground states like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, where more than 20% of adults identify as Catholic. Historically, Catholics have been seen as swing voters, often split between the two major political parties.Pew Research reports that 44% of Catholic registered voters support the Democratic Party and 52% lean Republican.
Francis’ guidance aligns with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ approach, which encourages Catholics to weigh all aspects of Church teaching when making political decisions, without explicitly endorsing any candidates.
Balancing Catholic Social Teaching
Pope Francis has consistently advocated for a broader view of Catholic social teaching, one that places equal importance on issues like immigration, poverty, and climate change alongside the Church’s teachings on life issues like abortion.
During his papacy, Francis has championed causes that some may see as more progressive, such as allowing priests to forgive abortions and calling for compassion toward the LGBTQ+ community. He has also been vocal about the need for urgent action on climate change, framing the issue as a moral imperative for protecting God’s creation.
However, the pope has remained unwavering in his condemnation of abortion.Even yet, in 2018, he likened the practice to using a “hit man to solve a problem.” Francis appears to see social justice and life preservation as interwoven, as seen by his dual emphasis on these topics and his advice to Catholics not to distinguish between them when casting ballots.
A History of Political Commentary
This is not the first time Pope Francis has weighed in on U.S. politics. During the 2016 presidential race, he famously said that Trump’s plan to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border was “not Christian.” More recently, he advised against denying communion to political figures like President Joe Biden who support abortion rights, saying that Church leaders should adopt a pastoral rather than political approach.
His statements have often put him at odds with more conservative members of the Catholic Church, particularly in the United States, where some bishops have emphasized abortion as the “pre-eminent” issue. Francis, however, has argued for a more holistic view, pointing out that the plight of migrants is equally important to the defense of life.
A Call to Conscience
As American Catholics prepare to vote in the 2024 presidential election, Pope Francis’ words offer a complex moral guide. His strong condemnation of both abortion and anti-immigration policies challenges voters to deeply reflect on their choices. By urging them to choose the “lesser of two evils,” the pope is encouraging Catholics to engage their consciences fully and thoughtfully.
In a nation where Catholics make up a significant portion of the electorate, the pope’s words are likely to influence how many approach the voting booth this November. Though divided, U.S. Catholic voters may find themselves united in the moral struggle that Pope Francis has brought to the forefront: the difficult task of balancing two conflicting visions of what it means to protect and preserve life.
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