World

Pope Demands End To Genocide Of Middle East Christians

Daily Caller News Foundation logo
Erica Wenig Contributor
Font Size:

Pope Francis spoke out against the persecution of Middle East Christians, demanding an end to the “genocide” in Bolivia Thursday.

“Today we are dismayed to see how in the Middle East and elsewhere in the world many of our brothers and sisters are persecuted, tortured and killed for their faith in Jesus,” said Pope Francis. “In this third world war, waged piecemeal, which we are now experiencing, a form of genocide is taking place, and it must end.”

Pope Francis, who was elected in 2013, delivered a speech at the World Meeting Of Popular Movements in Santa Cruz as part of a three-country tour in South America. (RELATED: Watch Pope Francis React To Getting A Statue Of Jesus Crucified On A HAMMER AND SICKLE)

This isn’t the first time Pope Francis has addressed the issue. A joint statement by Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I last November urged the international community not to turn a blind eye to the suffering of believers and called for “constructive dialogue with Islam based on mutual respect and friendship,” The Guardian reported.

Islamic State released gruesome execution videos of Christian victims earlier this year, including Egyptian and Ethiopian immigrants in Libya. In February, Islamic State militants raided villages in northeastern Syria, kidnapping hundreds of Christians whose whereabouts are still unknown. (RELATED: Latest ISIS Atrocity Makes Clear Their Intent For All Christians)

Follow Erica on Twitter

Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.

All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.