Pope Francis has weighed in on the upcoming US presidential election, advising Catholic voters to choose the "lesser evil" between the two major candidates. Without naming them directly, the pontiff criticized both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, stating, "Both are against life, be it the one who kicks out migrants, or be it the one who kills babies."

In rare political comments during a news conference concluding his 12-day tour of southeast Asia, the Pope addressed the dilemma facing American Catholic voters. He emphasized the importance of voting, saying, "Not voting is ugly. It is not good. You must vote." The pontiff added, "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."

Elaborating on his criticisms, Pope Francis described not welcoming migrants as a "grave" sin, seemingly referring to Trump's immigration policies. "Expelling migrants, not letting them develop, not letting them have a life is an ugly thing, it's mean," he stated. Regarding abortion, which Harris supports, the Pope used strong language: "Forcing a child from the mother's womb is an assassination because there is life there." This is not the first time the Pope has criticized Trump; during the 2016 election, he described the then-candidate as "not Christian" due to his anti-immigrant rhetoric.

The Pope's comments come at a crucial time in the election cycle, just days after Trump and Harris's first debate. With American Catholics comprising 52 million of the 1.4 billion Catholics globally, the Pope's words could potentially influence a significant portion of the electorate. However, Francis made it clear that he was not an American and would not be voting in the election himself.

As we consider the Pope's characterization of both candidates as "against life," it's important to examine the broader implications of their policies and how they align with the concept of preserving and enhancing human life and dignity.

Trump's strict immigration policies have led to family separations and deportations, causing significant human suffering. These actions conflict with the Catholic Church's teachings on compassion and welcoming the stranger. On the other hand, Harris's support for abortion rights directly opposes the Church's stance on the sanctity of life from conception.

Looking beyond these specific issues, Harris's policies on healthcare, education, and social welfare could be seen as more aligned with improving the quality of life for many Americans. Her approach to climate change and environmental protection also aligns with Pope Francis's own emphasis on caring for our "common home," as outlined in his encyclical Laudato Si'.

Trump's policies, while appealing to some for economic reasons, have been criticized for potentially exacerbating inequality and environmental issues. His approach to healthcare and environmental regulations could be seen as detrimental to human life and dignity in the long term.

Ultimately, determining the "lesser evil" depends on how one prioritizes various life-affirming policies. While Harris's stance on abortion conflicts with Catholic doctrine, her overall platform appears more focused on improving living conditions for a broader spectrum of society. In this context, despite the conflict with Catholic teaching on abortion, Harris might be considered the "lesser evil" due to her more comprehensive approach to preserving and enhancing life quality across various policy areas.

As Catholics and other voters grapple with this difficult decision, they must weigh these factors carefully, guided by their conscience and their understanding of what it truly means to be "pro-life" in the broadest sense of the term.