Pope Francis on Sunday denounced racism, likening it to a virus that lurks in waiting and only to emerge and show that “our supposed social progress is not as real or definitive” as people think, reports AP from Vatican City.
Francis tweeted on racism on the date that the United Nations marks as International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
The pope likened racism to an “a virus that quickly mutates and, instead of disappearing, goes into hiding, and lurks in waiting.”
“Instances of racism continue to shame us, for they show that our supposed social progress is not as real or definitive as we think,” Francis tweeted, adding the hashtags #FightRacism #FratelliTutti. “Fratelli Tutti″ is the title of the encyclical, or special teaching document, which the pope issued last year in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic to press for solidarity, brotherhood and care for the environment worldwide.
In his tweet, Francis cited no particular instance of racism or place. Throughout his papacy, he has
championed the rights of people who are marginalized in societies, including migrants.
