Pope Francis, on Wednesday, condemned “the sin of racism” in the United States as protests and riots continue following the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd.
“Dear brothers and sisters in the United States, I have witnessed with great concern the disturbing social unrest in your nation in these past days, following the tragic death of Mr. George Floyd,” Francis said. “My friends, we cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism and exclusion in any form and yet claim to defend the sacredness of every human life.”
Francis also condemned the widespread rioting and looting that have occurred over the past week.
“At the same time, we have to recognize that the violence of recent nights is self-destructive and self-defeating,” he said. “Nothing is gained by violence and so much is lost.”
Francis, who mentioned the killing during his weekly public audience, said that he would also be praying for “all those others who have lost their lives as a result of the sin of racism.”
