Pope Leo XIV Criticizes Anti-Muslim Sentiment In Europe And The US

JAKARTA - World Catholic Church leader Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday criticized anti-migrant activists who sparked "threats" against Islam, saying cooperation between Christians and Muslims in Lebanon should be an example for Europe and the United States.

Speaking to reporters on a plane after a visit to Turkey and Lebanon, his first trip outside Italy since becoming the leader of 1.4 billion world Catholics in May, Pope Leo said anti-Muslim sentiment was "often triggered by people who opposed immigration and sought to keep away people who might have come from other countries, other religions, other races."

He said his visit to Lebanon was intended to show, "that dialogue and friendship between Muslims and Christians is possible," reports Al Arabiya of AFP (3/12).

Pope Leo said the stories he heard during the journey of Christians and Muslims helping each other were "the lesson that we may have to reduce fear a little."

The Pope who was born in the United States who later devoted himself to Peru for two decades criticized growing nationalist sentiment in Europe and the US, calling for an end to "humane behavior" against migrants under US President Donald Trump.

He also urged people to reject the "exclusive mindset" which he said had sparked nationalism around the world.

Pope Leo XIV stressed that the Catholic Church "must open boundaries between nations and break barriers between classes and races."