If the Pope endorsed a candidate how would that affect your voting decision?

[Benadam]

If he endorsed the candidate I am not voting for I would take another look. I can’t say it wouldn’t matter. I would find out why he endorses this candidate. Read opinions about his endorsement from theologians, clergy and laity. My mind would be open but it wouldn’t change just because of the Pope’s opinion.

 

[Lea101]

Depends I guess. I would definitely take it into consideration. But if we ever have a Pope in the future who would endorse someone who is clearly against the Church and that there’s a better candidate…obviously not.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

The Pope wouldn’t choose a candidate for POTUS.

Especially in view of the huge legal implications, including taxation implications, that such an endorsement would trigger.
I recall one pastor included a letter regarding how to vote in the election in the parish bulletin, and the bishop came down on him VERY hard.

 

[Augustinian]

Especially in view of the huge legal implications, including taxation implications, that such an endorsement would trigger.

The tax implications are widely overstated. No major religious organization has even had their tax situation changed because of the Johnson Amendment.

Small religious groups might be able to be intimidated, but the government is in no mood to lose a major religious freedom case even if they were in the mood to pursue it. The Johnson Amendment seems pretty much unconstitutional.

Besides, the Pope isn’t an American citizen, the IRS can’t punish him for not obeying a US law.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

The Catholic church is not just a “major religious organization”. It is the Catholic Church, the biggest religious organization in the West, and the biggest target.

 

[DJS19]

I would at least examine what the individual stood for

 

[Augustinian]

The Catholic church is not just a “major religious organization”. It is the Catholic Church, the biggest religious organization in the West, and the biggest target.

I didn’t mean it disparagingly at all, my point is the government doesn’t want to lose this- particularly in a court decision.

And the Catholic Church is actually in position to fight this kind of thing, unlike the 2nd Reformed Methodist Church of South Steubenville or other tiny congregation.

The IRS wants battles it will win.

 

[Augustinian]

If the Pope endorsed a candidate how would that affect your voting decision?

Pope Francis was very critical of Mr. Trump during the 2016 campaign, not quite an endorsement for the Clintons- but still critical of her opposition.

Trump nonetheless won a majority of Catholic votes.

I don’t think the endorsement is worth as much as some would think.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

The Church might fight a battle, but lose the war if it “backed” the wrong political candidate.
The choice in the last US presidential election, for example, would have been just about impossible, as all the Church’s favorite human rights stuff was advocated by the same candidate who was advocating abortion.

The only time I can see the Church actually backing a candidate is when the opposing candidate is running on a platform of “Destroy the Catholic Church”. Even then, the Church has gotten its reputation tarnished in the past by siding with the “pro-church” candidates, which have often been fascists. Better for it to just stay out.

 

[ratio1]

The next question is if the Pope disendorse a candidate would you not vote for that person? Assuming there are a few other candidates.
Should we start a new poll on this? As this is not the same question as yours.

 

[Mtatum1958]

Voted, no back toa more probable eventuality like a zombie apocalypse or peace and serenity between political parties.