Pope: Populism is fertile ground for anti-Semitism

Pope Francis denounces populism, saying it is born of “selfish indifference” and provides fertile terrain for hatred, including anti-Semitism.

Francis makes the comments while meeting with a delegation from the Simon Wiesenthal Center, a human rights organization that fights anti-Semitism.

The pontiff notes that in 2016, during a pilgrimage to Poland, he prayed at the site of the Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Francis decries the recent “barbaric resurgence of anti-Semitism” and says populism provides a fertile terrain where “hate rapidly grows.”

Much of Europe, where populist parties have gained traction, has seen an uptick in anti-Semitic incidents.

Francis says that by encouraging integration and mutual understanding, hatred can be countered.

He adds: “I’ll never tire of firmly condemning every form of anti-Semitism.”

— AP