Pontiff’s Blunt Assessment Divides Faith Communities

Pope Francis delivered his most pointed assessment of American politics in years, telling Catholic voters they face a choice between the “lesser of two evils” in the upcoming presidential election. The 87-year-old pontiff’s comments during a September 13th press conference aboard the papal plane have sent shockwaves through religious communities nationwide.

“Both are against life, be it the one who kicks out migrants, or be it the one who kills babies,” Francis declared, referring to former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris without naming them directly. The stark language reflects growing tension within America’s 52 million Catholics as they navigate competing moral priorities.

Breaking Down the Pope’s Message

The pontiff’s remarks came during his return flight from a 12-day tour of Southeast Asia, marking his first major press conference in nearly a year. When asked what advice he’d give American voters choosing between candidates with opposing views on abortion and immigration, Francis didn’t mince words.

“Not voting is ugly. It is not good. You must vote,” the Pope emphasized. “You must choose the lesser evil. Who is the lesser evil? That lady, or that gentleman? I don’t know. Everyone, in conscience, has to think and do this.”

His comments reflect Catholic teaching on voting when no candidate fully aligns with church doctrine on life issues. The concept of choosing the “lesser evil” has long guided Catholic voters facing imperfect choices.

Immigration vs. Abortion: The Moral Divide

Francis pulled no punches in critiquing both major party positions. On immigration, he called refusing to welcome migrants a “grave” sin, comparing it to denying basic human dignity.

“Expelling migrants, not letting them develop, not letting them have a life is an ugly thing, it’s mean,” Francis stated, seemingly targeting Trump’s deportation promises.

On abortion, the Pope’s language was equally sharp. “Forcing a child from the mother’s womb is an assassination because there is life there,” he said, addressing Harris’s support for abortion rights.

This dual critique highlights the complex moral calculations facing Catholic voters, who must weigh competing life issues against their personal values and priorities.

Catholic Voters Split Down the Middle

The Pope’s intervention comes as Catholic voters remain deeply divided. According to Pew Research data, 52% of Catholic registered voters lean Republican while 44% lean Democrat. In 2020, Catholics split almost evenly: 50% for Biden, 49% for Trump.

These divisions reflect broader tensions within American Catholicism. While church teaching opposes abortion, many Catholics support other Democratic priorities like immigration reform, climate action, and social justice programs.

“The Church does not allow abortion because it is to kill, it is murder,” Francis clarified during his remarks. Yet he’s consistently argued that abortion cannot be isolated from other life issues, including care for migrants and the poor.

Historical Context of Papal Political Engagement

This isn’t Francis’s first venture into American politics. During the 2016 election, he described then-candidate Trump as “not Christian” because of anti-immigrant rhetoric. He’s also challenged American bishops who call abortion the “pre-eminent” issue, arguing migration also concerns defending life.

Francis has consistently pushed for a broader understanding of Catholic social teaching. His papacy has emphasized what he calls a “seamless garment” approach—viewing all life issues as interconnected rather than ranking them in importance.

Impact on Swing State Catholics

The Pope’s comments carry particular weight in battleground states with large Catholic populations. Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Ohio all feature significant Catholic communities that could prove decisive in close elections.

Catholic voters in these states often face the exact dilemma Francis described: choosing between candidates who align with some church teachings while opposing others. The Pope’s acknowledgment of this difficulty may provide cover for Catholics conflicted about their choices.

Religious Leaders Respond

The Vatican’s unprecedented intervention has drawn mixed reactions from American Catholic leaders. Some praise Francis for acknowledging the complexity voters face, while others worry about the Pope inserting himself into domestic politics.

Progressive Catholic organizations have emphasized the Pope’s immigration critique, while conservative groups highlight his abortion comments. This selective reading demonstrates how Francis’s balanced approach challenges both sides’ preferred narratives.

What This Means for November

With Election Day approaching, the Pope’s “lesser evil” framework provides a roadmap for conflicted Catholic voters. Rather than demanding ideological purity, Francis acknowledges the messy reality of democratic choice.

His emphasis on voting as a moral obligation could boost turnout among Catholics who might otherwise stay home. Yet his refusal to endorse either candidate leaves the ultimate decision to individual consciences.

The Pope’s intervention underscores religion’s enduring influence in American politics, even as church attendance declines. For many Catholics, Francis’s guidance offers permission to vote pragmatically rather than ideologically.

Moving Forward: Faith in the Public Square

As American democracy grapples with deep divisions, Pope Francis offers a different model of political engagement. His approach emphasizes moral reasoning over partisan loyalty, encouraging voters to wrestle with competing values rather than embrace simple answers.

The challenge facing Catholic voters—and all Americans of faith—is translating religious principles into political action without sacrificing either integrity or effectiveness. Francis’s “lesser evil” framework acknowledges this difficulty while still demanding engagement.

Whether his intervention influences the election outcome remains unclear. But his willingness to address American politics directly demonstrates the Vatican’s recognition that global leadership requires engaging with messy democratic realities.

The Pope’s message ultimately calls Americans to higher ground: voting as a moral act that considers all human dignity, not just preferred policies. In our polarized moment, this holistic vision offers hope for more thoughtful political discourse.