Pope urges end to anti-Semitism, persecution of Christians

(ANSA) - ROME, JAN 8 - Pope Francis on Monday called for an end to anti-Semitism and the persecution of Christians.
    "The increase in acts of anti-Semitism in recent months is particularly worrying," said Francis during a New Year audience with the members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See, referring to the uptick in episodes of hostility or hatred towards Jews since the start of the Gaza war sparked by the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.
    "I reaffirm once again that this scourge must be eradicated from society, above all through education in fraternity and welcoming the other," he continued.
    The pope also expressed concern over the "growth of persecution and discrimination against Christians, especially in the last ten years".
    This, he said, "not infrequently concerns the phenomena of gradual marginalization and exclusion from political and social life and from the exercise of certain professions that occur even in traditionally Christian lands".
    "Overall, more than 360 million Christians worldwide experience a high level of persecution and discrimination because of their faith, and an increasing number are forced to flee their homelands," he added.
    Francis insisted that "the path to peace also passes through interreligious dialogue, which requires above all the protection of religious freedom and respect for minorities". (ANSA).