Pope Francis Decries Racism And Violence in the U.S., Calls For Reconciliation

Pope Francis

Photo courtesy: Shalom World TV

Protesters, including Catholic nun Sister Quincy Howard,
(4th from left) on June 2, in Washington, D.C., USA

Photo courtesy: AP via npr.org/

Pope Francis today in his live-streamed general audience termed the tragic death of African-American George Floyd at the hands of police officers in Minneapolis, USA, as "tragic" and mentioned that he was praying for him and "all others who have lost their lives as a result of the sin of racism," reports the CNN. 

 "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," the pope 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.

"At the same time, we have to recognize that the violence of recent nights is self-destructive and self-defeating. Nothing is gained by violence and so much is lost," he said.

From the U.S. Catholic Church, a number of priests, bishops, laypersons, and some organizations also expressed their disgust and concern for George Floyd's death and violence and voiced their demand for justice. 

For details on Pope Francis' message, please read the following:

• Pope Prays for the soul of George Floyd and for peace and justice in US (June 3, 2020)
• Pope Francis on the death of George Floyd: We cannot tolerate racism and claim to defend life (June 3, 2020)
• Francis expresses concern about 'disturbing social unrest' in the US (June 3, 2020)
• Pope Condemns Racism and Violence in U.S., Calls For National Reconciliation (June 3, 2020) 
• Pope urges U.S. reconciliation, condemns racism and street violence (June 3, 2020)
• Pope Francis Prays for George Floyd, Decries 'The Sin of Racism' (June 3, 2020)