On September 13, 2024, Pope Francis made a notable intervention in the U.S. presidential election, characterizing the choice between former President Donald Trump
and Vice President Kamala Harris as a matter of selecting the “lesser of two evils.” During a press conference on the papal plane, Francis criticized both candidates, citing Trump’s anti-migrant policies and Harris’s support for abortion rights as contrary to his pro-life values.
The Pope did not endorse either candidate, instead urging voters to reflect deeply on their choice. “Who is the lesser of two evils? That lady or that gentleman? I don’t know,” Francis remarked, highlighting the complexity of the decision and the importance of personal conscience in making it.
This commentary reflects Pope Francis’s broader approach to addressing political issues through the lens of Catholic teachings. His position underscores the Church’s view that the sanctity of life encompasses both opposition to abortion and a humane approach to immigration. By voicing these concerns, Francis continues his pattern of engaging openly with political matters, a departure from the more reserved stance of his predecessors.
