Pope Francis Weighs In on Trump-Harris Race, Offering Words That May Give Voters Something to Ponder

In over a decade since assuming leadership of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis has made his stance on American politics clear.

Even though the Democratic Party’s staunch support for abortion — a practice that Catholic doctrine equates to murder — remains unshaken, the pope has frequently expressed his disapproval of conservatives.

However, in carefully commenting on the U.S. presidential election on Friday, Pope Francis adopted a level of ambiguity that might leave both sides dissatisfied but could prompt millions of voters to reflect, particularly those on the left.

According to CBS News, the pope was questioned during an in-flight interview about how he would counsel American voters in choosing between Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris — known for her strong stance on abortion rights — and former President Donald Trump, who advocates for the deportation of undocumented immigrants.

Francis, as reported by CBS, appeared to draw a moral equivalency between the two.

“They are both against life — the one who throws away migrants and the one who kills children,” he said.

“One must choose the lesser of two evils,” he continued. “Who is the lesser of two evils, that lady or that gentleman, I do not know.”

The pope’s language underscored the weight of these issues.

“It should be clear that sending migrants away, denying them the opportunity to work, to not welcome migrants, it is a sin. It is grave,” Francis emphasized, according to CBS.

“Grave,” in this context, is not just a word. In Catholic teachings, it refers to a serious transgression of divine law. Hearing this from the pope carries enormous significance.

However, many conservative Catholic Americans might focus less on how migrants are treated and more on the impact on the country they are entering.

Supporting American immigration laws — which involve deporting those who enter the country illegally or remain illegally (and in some cases commit serious crimes while here) — is not inherently “against life.”

It represents a commitment to upholding the legal framework established by the democratic system of the United States.

The fierce opposition to illegal immigration among conservatives and the Republican Party does not stem from anti-immigration sentiment, but from opposition to illegal immigration.

The United States, a nation born of immigration, remains one of the most welcoming countries for legal immigrants.

For Democratic “Catholics,” including President Joe Biden and millions of others, the pope’s remarks on abortion strike a different chord.

“Whether you like the word or not, it is a killing,” Francis said, as per CBS. “It is an assassination, and on this, we must be clear.”

There’s little room for interpretation. Countless American Catholics may have reconciled themselves with abortion, despite the church’s unequivocal stance against it.

(The openly Catholic Biden’s blatant pandering to his party’s left wing on the issue is just the most visible example of trading moral principles for political gain. But he is by no means alone in this.)

Since the disastrous ruling of Roe v. Wade in 1973, American society has largely accepted the notion that abortion is not just a choice but a “right” enshrined in the Constitution.

The Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe didn’t undo this overnight.

The damage done by Justice Harry Blackmun and the other justices involved in the ruling will likely persist for generations.

Unlike the debate over “migrants” and their legal status, the pope’s statements on abortion cannot be obscured by a battle over semantics.

It is understood that certain acts of “killing” or “assassination” can be justified, such as in a “just war,” as recognized by Catholic teachings. However, abortion advocates rarely argue that terminating pregnancies is “justifiable” killing.

Instead, they frame it as a medical procedure to remove unwanted tissue from a woman’s body.

Whether or not Pope Francis intended to, his words drew a clear distinction in his comments — one that any reasonable person, regardless of political affiliation, can grasp.

In Pope Francis’ view, Americans who heed his guidance — particularly Catholics — face the moral dilemma of determining the “lesser evil.” Is it the destruction of innocent life for reasons that are often about convenience, or is it the enforcement of laws passed by the world’s oldest constitutional democracy?

The terms “grave sin” and “assassination” are harsh descriptors for political positions, yet they are the words of the leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

These words may cause millions of Americans — Catholic or not — to deeply reconsider their stance.

However, for those who are rational and honest, the choice may ultimately be quite clear.