Pope challenges world leaders' silence on persecution of Christians

April 06, 2015

The international community cannot remain “silent and inactive” in the face of persecution of Christians, Pope Francis said during his midday audience on Easter Monday April 6.

The Pope spoke of “our brothers and sisters who are persecuted, exiled, killed, behead, for the only reason of being Christians.” He said: “They are our martyrs, and they are many.”

“I sincerely hope that the international community does not look the other way,” the Pope said. Such silence, he said—breaking from his prepared text-- would be “an alarming failure to protect basic human rights” At his Easter Monday audience the Pope led the faithful in praying the Regina Caeli, the prayer that replaces the Angelus during Eastertide. “To one and all,” the Pope said, “do not tire of repeating: Christ is risen!” He led the crowd in repeating that exultant proclamation, “Christ is risen!” three times, each time with greater emphasis.

The Pope continued:

We proclaim the resurrection of Christ when his light illuminates the dark moments of our existence, and we are able share it with others; when we know when to smile with those who smile, and weep with those who weep; when we accompany those who are sad and at risk of losing hope; when we recount our experience of faith to those who are searching for meaning and happiness.

 

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Further information:

• Pope Francis: Do not be "silent" about persecuted Christians (Vatican Radio)
• Pope: on the persecution of Christians, the international community should "not stand by mute and inactive” and “look away” (AsiaNews)
• Pope Francis: Let our lives be conquered and transformed by the Resurrection (Vatican Radio)