A review of some of Pope Francis’ most memorable quotes over his papacy

On Friday, flying back to Rome from a lengthy trip to Asia, Pope Francis criticized both U.S. presidential candidates for what he called anti-life policies on abortion and migration. He advised American Catholics to choose who they think is the “lesser evil” in the upcoming U.S. elections.

“Both are against life, be it the one who kicks out migrants, or be it the one who kills babies,″ Francis said. Neither Republican candidate Donald Trump nor the Democratic candidate, Kamala Harris, was mentioned by name.

It was the latest in a long string of memorable — and sometimes controversial — comments from the pope, who throughout his 11-year papacy has often been willing to speak out in impromptu fashion.

Several of the most noteworthy comments related to LGBTQ+ issues — a matter of keen public interest given official Catholic teaching that condemns same-sex marriage and sexual relations. Some examples:

— July 30, 2013. During his first press conference, says “Who am I to judge?” when asked about a purportedly gay priest, signaling a more welcoming approach to LGBTQ+ Catholics.

— May 21, 2018: Tells a gay man “God made you like this and he loves you.”

— Jan. 24, 2023: Declares in an Associated Press interview that “ Being homosexual is not a crime.”

— Jan. 28, 2023: Clarifies his comments to AP which implied that while homosexual activity was not a crime it is a sin in the eyes of the church. “When I said it is a sin, I was simply referring to Catholic moral teaching, which says that every sexual act outside of marriage is a sin.”

— Aug. 24, 2023: During World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal, the pope led a crowd of a half-million young people chanting “todos, todos, todos” (everyone, everyone, everyone) to emphasize that all are