The Pope urges Catholics to choose the "lesser of two evils" in US election
Pope Francis. Photo: Reuters
Pope Francis criticized both U.S. presidential candidates and urged Catholic voters to choose the "lesser of two evils" when considering the candidacies of Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris. He made this statement on September 13 during a press conference following a 12-day trip to Southeast Asia.
The pontiff did not mention the two candidates by name but hinted at their positions on immigration and abortion.
"Both are against life. One wants to expel migrants, while the other kills babies," Francis stated.
In fact, one of the items on Donald Trump's campaign agenda is the fight against illegal immigration, while Kamala Harris advocates for abortion rights.
In response to a question about what advice he could give to his American co-religionists regarding the elections, Francis said: "Opting out of voting is unacceptable. That's very bad. You must vote. You must choose the lesser of two evils. Who is the lesser evil? The lady or the gentleman? I don't know."
The U.S. presidential election takes place this November. The opinion of the head of the Roman Catholic Church could influence the stance of the 52 million Catholics in the U.S., who make up about 20% of the country's population.
As previously reported, only 31% of American Catholics attend Mass weekly.
Read also
UGCC cleric calls Russian Orthodox literature cangerous for clergy
While examining the causes of divisions within the UGCC, Yustyn Boiko concluded that Russian Orthodox literature had influenced Greek Catholic clergy.
UOC will play major role in achieving peace, says Vadym Novynskyi
UOC Protodeacon Vadym Novynskyi believes the Church will help bring about reconciliation within Ukrainian society after the war ends.
Catholic media outraged by forcible conscription of Uniate cleric
The Vatican’s Apostolic Nunciature has demanded the return of a forcibly mobilized Greek Catholic cleric.
Rivne court fines man for criticizing parish's "transfer" to OCU
A resident of the Rivne region was convicted over Facebook posts criticizing the “transfer” of a religious community in the village of Butove to the OCU.
Novynskyi: I quoted the Gospel to Zelensky on first day of war
The former Ukrainian MP said he advised Davyd Arakhamia to begin negotiations with Russia in the first days of the full-scale war and later spoke with Volodymyr Zelensky.
Sumy Eparchy venerates miraculous Korsun-Shpylivka Theotokos Icon
Celebrations honoring the Mother of God’s icon known as the “Restorer of Sight” were held at Sumy Cathedral and concluded with a car procession around the city.