Pope Francis Criticizes Trump and Harris on Immigration and Abortion

Pope Francis criticized former U.S. President Donald Trump over his migrant deportation plan and Vice President Kamala Harris for her pro-abortion stance. He urged U.S. Catholics to choose 'the lesser evil' in the upcoming election, stressing that both policies are 'against life.' American Catholics are seen as crucial swing voters.

Pope Francis on Friday criticized both former U.S. President Donald Trump over his plan to deport millions of immigrants and Vice President Kamala Harris over her stance supporting abortion rights.

During a press conference on his flight back to Rome from Singapore, the pope said not welcoming migrants is a 'grave' sin, and likened having an abortion to an 'assassination.' He urged U.S. Catholics to 'choose the lesser evil' when they vote in November, calling abstaining from voting 'ugly' and 'not good.'

The pope, speaking after a 12-day tour across Southeast Asia and Oceania, did not name Trump and Harris but targeted their policies specifically. Despite criticizing both, he emphasized the importance of voting. 'Who is the lesser evil? That lady, or that gentleman? I don't know,' he said. 'Everyone, in conscience, has to think and do this.' American Catholics, numbering about 52 million, are seen as crucial swing voters in battleground states like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Francis, leading about 1.4 billion Catholics globally, is usually cautious about intervening in national political elections but frequently condemns abortion and anti-immigrant rhetoric. On Friday, he stated both candidates' policies are 'against life.' He declared immigration a 'right' and abortion 'an assassination,' emphasizing no excuses for abortion.

(With inputs from agencies.)