He wouldn't have had to preach Catholicism to condemn abortion, call for repentance, and demand reform. Preaching what C. S. Lewis called "Mere Christianity" would have been sufficient. Even preaching freedom for all peoples and human rights for everyone would have been sufficient.
Yes, he blew it big time.
Do you really think that there is anyone in America that does not know that the Pope is anti-abortion? It’s been said over and over and over and over.