Pope Leo condemns the persecution of Christians

Pope Leo spoke out against the persecution of Christians during his annual meeting of ambassadors to the Vatican. Christian persecution is affecting 380 million people, he said. “I would especially call to mind the many victims of violence, including religiously motivated violence in Bangladesh, in the Sahel region and in Nigeria, as well as those of the serious terrorist attack last June on the parish of Saint Elias in Damascus,” he said. “Nor do I forget the victims of jihadist violence in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique.” He also expanded his warning beyond violent persecution: “At the same time, we must not forget a subtle form of religious discrimination against Christians, which is spreading even in countries where they are in the majority, such as in Europe or the Americas.” Watch for the Vatican to push Europe to become more Catholic and even more outspoken and belligerent as global religious conflicts intensify.