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".
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