During a press conference on his flight back to Rome, Pope Francis criticized former U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to deport immigrants and Vice President Kamala Harris’ support for abortion rights. He stated that not welcoming migrants is a grave sin and equated abortion to assassination. The Pope emphasized the importance of voting in the upcoming election, even if it means choosing the lesser evil between candidates. He urged American Catholics, who are crucial swing voters in battleground states, to vote in accordance with their conscience.
While not mentioning the candidates by name, Pope Francis strongly condemned their policies and stated that both Trump’s anti-immigrant stance and Harris’ support for abortion go against life. He highlighted that welcoming migrants is a right and called abortion a form of murder with no excuses. The Pope emphasized the need for clear and uncompromising language on these issues.
The U.S. bishops have also issued guidance emphasizing the preeminent priority of addressing the threat of abortion for Catholics in the upcoming election. Balancing political priorities has become a topic of discussion in light of the different stances taken by various candidates. The Pope’s comments on immigration and abortion reflect his consistent advocacy for the vulnerable and marginalized in society and his firm stance against actions that go against his interpretation of Catholic teachings.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com
