He Pope Francisco denounced on Sunday the populist politics and what he called “the scum of ideology”warning that the Democracy is not in good shape In many parts of the world.
The Holy Father, 87, was in the northeastern city of Trieste for a whirlwind visit, his fourth trip within Italy in just over two months, as he prepares for a 12-day trip across Asia in September, the longest of his papacy.
Speaking at an annual Catholic convention on social issues, Francis said many people feel excluded from democracy, and that the poor and weak are left to fend for themselves.
“It is clear that democracy is not in good health in today’s world”he said, denouncing polarization and partisanship.
“Ideologies are seductive. Some compare them to the Pied Piper of Hamelin. They seduce you, but they lead you to deny yourself.”he said, referring to a fairy tale in which a rat catcher uses his magical powers to steal children from a village.
He said the “crisis of democracy” was affecting several nations, but did not give concrete examples.
The pontiff spoke on the day France holds a second round of parliamentary elections, in which the far-right National Rally (RN) is expected to win the majority of votes, a month after populist parties made gains in European Union elections.
“Let us not be fooled by easy solutions. Instead, let us be passionate about the common good.”the Pope said on Sunday, highlighting the damage caused by political “corruption and illegality.”
The Holy Father, who rules as an absolute monarch in the tiny Vatican state, said it was important to teach children the importance of democratic values, warning that “indifference is a cancer for democracy.”
“I am concerned about the low number of people who turned out to vote. Why is this happening?” he asked.
Later, in a homily at an open-air Mass, Francis denounced widespread complacency in the face of social injustice.
“Why are we not shocked by rampant evil, humiliated lives, labour problems, the suffering of migrants? Why do we remain apathetic and indifferent to the injustices of the world?” he said.
The half-day visit to Trieste followed similar trips to Venice and Verona in April and May and a speech to Group of Seven leaders in southern Italy in June – outings that have tested his resilience after repeated ailments over the past year have sometimes forced him to reduce his workload.
As usual, the Pope travelled mainly in a wheelchair and looked in good shape. In September he plans to travel more than 32,000 km by plane on his trip to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore.
Source: Ambito
