Pope Francis: No tolerance for
racism, but without violence
Pope Francis spoke at the General Audience about the
protests in the United States following the killing of George Floyd, saying we
cannot claim to defend the sacredness of every human life while turning a blind
eye to racism and exclusion.
By Vatican News
In his greetings to the English-speaking faithful at the
weekly General Audience, Pope Francis addressed the people of the United
States, as protests continue throughout the nation.
“I have witnessed with great concern the disturbing social
unrest in your nation in these past days, following the tragic death of Mr.
George Floyd,” he said. “We cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism and
exclusion in any form and yet claim to defend the sacredness of every human
life.”
Denouncing violence
The Pope then cited a recent statement from Archbishop José
Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops
(USCCB), to denounce outcroppings of violence at some protests.
“At the same time, we have to recognize that ‘the violence of
recent nights is self-destructive and self-defeating. Nothing is gained by
violence and so much is lost’.”
Pope Francis added that today he joins the Church in Saint
Paul and Minneapolis, and throughout the entire US, “in praying for the repose
of the soul of George Floyd and of all those others who have lost their lives
as a result of the sin of racism.”
Prayer for reconciliation and peace
The Pope concluded his remarks with an invitation to prayer.
“Let us pray for the consolation of their grieving families
and friends and let us implore the national reconciliation and peace for which
we yearn,” he said. “May Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of America, intercede
for all those who work for peace and justice in your land and throughout the
world.”
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