Pope says enmity epidemic, no more splits or rejections

(ANSA) - ROME, AUG 18 - Pope Francis said Friday the world was suffering from an epidemic of enmity and called for an end to "divisions and rejections" in his latest denunciation of 'throwaway culture'.
    "While, unfortunately, war and divisions sow resentment and fear in hearts, and the other who is different from me is often perceived as a rival, global and pervasive communication causes this widespread attitude to become a mentality, that differences appear as symptoms of hostility and a sort of epidemic of enmity takes place"said Francis, in a message, signed by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, sent to the organisers and participants of the upcoming Rimini Meeting for 'Friendship Among Peoples'.
    In this context, the Argentine pontiff added, "the title of the Meeting sounds bold: 'Human existence is an inexhaustible friendship'.
    "Bold because it clearly goes against the trend, in a time marked by individualism and indifference, which generates loneliness and many forms of discarding people in a throwaway way".
    The annual meeting in Rimini of the activist Communion and Liberation (CL) group runs this year from August 20 to 25.
    (ANSA).