Pope Francis Slams U.S. Presidential Candidates Over What He Calls Anti-Life Policies

LOADING ERROR LOADING ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE — Pope Francis on Friday slammed both U.S. presidential candidates for what he called anti-life policies on abortion and migration, and advised American Catholics to choose the “lesser evil” in the upcoming U.S. elections. Francis said migration is a right described in Scripture, and that anyone who doesn’t follow the Biblical call to welcome the stranger is committing a “grave sin.” Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump shakes hands with Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris during an ABC News presidential debate at the National Constitution Center, Tuesday, Sept.10, 2024, in Philadelphia. Francis declared then that anyone who builds a wall to keep out migrants “is not Christian.” In responding Friday, Francis recalled that he celebrated Mass at the U.S.-Mexico border and “there were so many shoes of the migrants who ended up badly there.” The U.S. bishops conference, for its part, has called abortion the “preeminent priority” for American Catholics in its published voter advice. He added: “There are various things to resolve first.” Francis hasn’t been home since before the 2013 conclave that elected him pope.