Pope chides France on race policy

August 23, 2010

In pointed remarks to French pilgrims who attended his midday audience on Sunday, August 22, Pope Benedict XVI said that parents should “educate your children to universal brotherhood.”

The Pope’s comments seemed clearly intended to reflect on the French government’s systematic campaign to expel Gypsies, which drew a rebuke from the Vatican last week. Pope Benedict said that the Sunday Scripture readings were “an invitation to know how to accept legitimate differences among humans, just like Jesus came to pull together men from every nation and speaking every language."

 

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Further information:

• Pope urges French to welcome all nationalities (AFP)
• After immigrant expulsions in France, Pope calls for education in brotherhood (CNA)
• Vatican joins protests as France expels Gypsies (CWN, 8/20)