Pope Francis denounces 'pathology of indifference' and 'epidemic of animosity' toward outsiders

Pope Francis
(Image credit: Tiziana Fabi/Getty Imahes)

Pope Francis on Saturday spoke out against polarization, nationalism, and demonization of minorities in a ceremony at St. Peter's Basilica in which he ordained 17 new cardinals, including 13 who are younger than 80 and therefore eligible to be his successor.

"We see, for example, how quickly those among us with the status of a stranger, an immigrant, or a refugee become a threat, take on the status of an enemy," he said, adding, "In God's heart there are no enemies. God has only sons and daughters. We are the ones who raise walls, build barriers, and label people."

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Bonnie Kristian

Bonnie Kristian was a deputy editor and acting editor-in-chief of TheWeek.com. She is a columnist at Christianity Today and author of Untrustworthy: The Knowledge Crisis Breaking Our Brains, Polluting Our Politics, and Corrupting Christian Community (forthcoming 2022) and A Flexible Faith: Rethinking What It Means to Follow Jesus Today (2018). Her writing has also appeared at Time Magazine, CNN, USA Today, Newsweek, the Los Angeles Times, and The American Conservative, among other outlets.