A Papal Thunderstorm: Pope Francis Breaks His Silence on U.S. Presidential Election

In an unprecedented and explosive move, Pope Francis has shattered the Vatican’s traditional neutrality on U.S. politics, sending shockwaves through both the Catholic and political worlds. Speaking aboard his return flight from a 12-day tour of Southeast Asia, the pontiff, known for his moral guidance rather than electoral involvement, made a stunning statement on the upcoming U.S. presidential election, urging American Catholics to “choose the lesser evil.”

This rare intervention is a seismic moment, not just because of its timing but also its intensity. The Pope’s words were anything but soft. He condemned both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris for their respective positions on two of the most divisive issues in American politics: immigration and abortion. Trump’s pledge to deport millions of immigrants, Francis declared, was “a grave sin,” attacking the very soul of what he sees as Christian hospitality and compassion for the stranger. On the other hand, Harris’ pro-choice stance on abortion amounted to nothing less than “assassination,” a fiery denunciation that frames abortion as a moral evil akin to murder.

And yet, in this moral quagmire, Pope Francis insisted that abstaining from voting was not an option. “Not voting is ugly. It is not good. You must vote,” he stated emphatically, as if urging his flock to take part in what he framed as a moral obligation, even in a scenario where neither candidate represents the values of the Church fully.

The Pope’s call to “choose the lesser evil” echoes a deep sense of frustration with the political landscape. His rhetorical question—“Who is the lesser evil? That lady, or that gentleman? I don’t know. Both are against life, be it the one that kicks out migrants, or the one that kills children”—is a scathing critique of both candidates. For American Catholics, the message is stark: neither choice is morally pure, but the responsibility to participate in shaping the nation’s future remains.

The gravity of the Pope’s remarks reverberates far beyond the Vatican. Francis Rocca, a leading Vatican journalist, described the comments as “exceptional,” noting that the Pope’s words reflect the monumental stakes of the U.S. election. “Everybody watches the U.S. election with great interest, and certainly they do at the Vatican,” Rocca said, emphasizing the global significance of America’s political future. While the pontiff stopped short of endorsing either candidate, the decision to weigh in at all speaks volumes. “He could have demurred or avoided the question, but he didn’t.”

For the roughly 52 million Catholics in the United States, this intervention from the Pope may not only shake their conscience but also swing their votes. In crucial swing states like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, where one in every five eligible voters is Catholic, the Pope’s moral guidance could influence the outcome. The question now looms: how will American Catholics, already divided along political lines, react to this bombshell? Will they heed the Pope’s call to choose “the lesser evil,” or will his critique of both candidates leave them disillusioned with the political process altogether?

One thing is clear: Pope Francis has thrown a holy grenade into the heart of the U.S. election, and its explosion will be felt long after November’s ballots are cast.