Mentioned at Press Conference Returning from Overseas Tour
"Whether Expelling Immigrants or Killing Babies, It Goes Against Life"
Pope Francis strongly criticized both former U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, citing their lack of respect for life. U.S. media outlets such as CNN and The New York Times (NYT) reported on the 13th (local time) that the Pope made these remarks on his private plane returning to Rome, Italy, after visiting four countries in Asia and Oceania.
During a press conference, when asked to give advice to American Catholic voters, the Pope said, "Whether someone chases away immigrants or supports killing babies, both are against life." Although he did not directly mention the names of the two candidates running in the upcoming U.S. presidential election in November, it appears he criticized former President Trump, who holds a harsh stance on immigrants, and Vice President Harris, who supports abortion rights.
The Pope asserted, "Migration is a right clearly stated in the Bible, and anyone who does not follow the biblical teaching to welcome the stranger commits a grave sin." He also emphasized, "We must clearly understand that abortion is murder." He added, "Choose the lesser of two evils against life," and said, "Anyone with a conscience must think and act accordingly."
In 2016, ahead of the U.S. presidential election, the Pope responded to a question about Trump's immigration policy by stating, "Anyone who wants to build a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border is not a Christian." In 2018, he strongly condemned abortion by comparing it to hiring a contract killer.
Meanwhile, according to Vatican News, the official media of the Holy See, the Pope departed Singapore at 12:25 p.m. on the same day aboard his private plane heading to Rome, Italy. Having arrived in Indonesia on the 3rd, the Pope completed his tour by visiting Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore. This trip is the longest overseas pastoral journey in terms of duration and distance since his inauguration in 2013, lasting a total of 12 days and covering a flight distance of 32,814 km.
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