Pope Francis, returning to Rome after an extensive 12-day tour of the Asia-Pacific region, has sharply criticized both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, accusing them of being “against life.” The 87-year-old pontiff made these comments during a press conference aboard the papal plane as he concluded his longest journey since becoming the head of the Roman Catholic Church over a decade ago.
The Pope’s remarks came amid his historic visit that spanned from the lush landscapes of Papua New Guinea to the urban sprawl of Singapore. Despite his exhaustive travels, Francis engaged in a candid discussion with journalists about various global issues, including the upcoming US presidential elections.
When asked about the US election candidates, Francis highlighted his concerns with Trump’s anti-immigrant stance and Harris’s support for abortion rights. “Both are against life. The one who discards migrants and the one who kills children. Both are against life,” he stated.
Trump has vowed to enforce strict immigration policies and deport illegal immigrants if re-elected. He also influenced the 2022 US Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling that established abortion rights in the US. Harris, on the other hand, has pledged to restore abortion rights, a position in direct opposition to Trump’s.
“The choice is between two evils. Who is the lesser evil? That lady or that gentleman? I don’t know. Everyone has to think and make this decision according to their conscience,” the Pope added.
In response to Francis’s comments, Karine Jean-Pierre, spokesperson for President Joe Biden, who is also a Roman Catholic, stated, “Obviously, the pope speaks for himself, and I don’t have any more comments.” She also noted that she had not discussed the Pope’s remarks with President Biden.
The Pope’s remarks underscore the intersection of faith and politics as the November elections approach, highlighting his concerns over the moral and ethical positions of the leading US presidential candidates.
