By Vatican City: Pope Francis expressed deep concern about the current state of democracy and issued a warning against populism during a brief visit to Trieste in northeastern Italy on Sunday, just before embarking on his longest papal trip to Asia spanning 12 days.
Speaking at a national Catholic event at the city’s convention centre, Francis lamented the global health of democracy without specifically naming countries. He cautioned against the allure of “ideological temptations and populists,” coinciding with France’s snap parliamentary vote where the far-right National Rally (RN) was poised to gain significant support.
Using the analogy of the Pied Piper of Hamelin, Francis criticised ideologies that seduce but ultimately lead to self-denial. He condemned the “culture of rejection” that marginalises the vulnerable, including the poor, unborn, and sick, advocating instead for inclusive social participation from early stages of life.
Addressing the rise of populism and nationalism across Europe, Francis echoed concerns previously voiced by bishops ahead of recent European parliament elections. He noted the grip of far-right parties in countries like Italy, Hungary, and the Netherlands, cautioning against polarizations that impoverished societies and criticising self-centred power dynamics.
Trieste, the third stop on his Italian tour this year following visits to Venice and Verona, holds significance as a city on the Adriatic Sea bordering Slovenia. Francis engaged with various groups during his half-day visit, including religious leaders, academics, migrants, and people with disabilities.
The visit concluded with a mass attended by around 8,500 worshippers in Trieste’s main public square before Francis returned to the Vatican. Despite his age and health challenges, the 87-year-old pontiff remains committed to international travel, with upcoming plans for an extensive visit to Indonesia, Singapore, Papua New Guinea, and East Timor in September.
Francis’s remarks in Trieste underscored his ongoing commitment to social justice, global unity, and the defence of democratic values amidst a turbulent political landscape in Europe and beyond. AFP
