VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis has criticized abortion as evidence of a “throwaway culture” that wastes people as well as food.
In Monday’s annual speech on world crises, Francis cited abortion and said: “Unfortunately what is thrown away is not only food and dispensable objects but often human beings themselves, who are discarded as unnecessary.”
Get breaking National news
READ MORE: Pope’s new year wish: accept differences and end arrogance
Francis also urged better respect for migrants and denounced the persecution of Christians in Asia, Africa and the Middle East in his address to diplomats accredited to the Holy See.
- Celine Dion returns to the stage after 6 years at Paris residency: ‘I missed this’
- Trump calls on Ukraine to stop strikes on Russian diesel citing global shortage
- At least 129 missing, 6 dead after ferry overturns in Indonesia’s Java sea
- Turkish authorities launch crackdown on LGBTQ+, HIV support groups
READ MORE: Pope Francis named ‘Time’ Person of the Year for 2013
The pope said Italy should do more for migrants and generously “take in the weakest and most vulnerable.” Each year, thousands attempt risky voyages across the Mediterranean in unseaworthy boats heading toward Italy and other European Union nations, and hundreds die en route.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.