Pope Francis Calls Racism A Virus: It Mutates Quickly And In Secret

Pope Francis. (Wikimedia Commons / Aleteia Image Department)

JAKARTA - World Catholic leader Pope Francis on Sunday 21 March condemned racism, likening it to a virus that lurks waiting to emerge showing our social progress should not be as real or definitive as people think.

Pope Francis' condemnation is as posted on his official Twitter account, in conjunction with the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination which is recognized by the United Nations (UN) every March 21.

"Racism is a virus that mutates rapidly and instead of disappearing, hides while waiting", Pope Francis wrote on Twitter.

"The example of racism continues to embarrass us because it shows that our social progress should not be as real or definitive as we think it is", Pope Francis continued adding the hashtag #FightRacism #FratelliTutti.

Launching Euronews, 'Fratelli Tutti' is the title of the encyclical or special teaching document, which the Pope issued last year amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim is to urge solidarity, brotherhood, and care for the environment around the world.

In his Tweets, Francis does not cite any instances of racism or specific places. Throughout his pontificate, he fought for the rights of those who were marginalized in society, including immigrants.

While on a historic visit to Iraq earlier this month, Pope Francis listened to stories and complaints from both the Muslim majority and the Christian minority

"Today, however, we reaffirm our belief that brotherhood lasts longer than fraternity, that hope is stronger than hatred, that peace is stronger than war", Pope Francis emphasized, cited from Reuters.

The annual UN anniversary on March 21 falls on an anniversary when police in Sharpeville, South Africa opened fire and killed 69 people in peaceful demonstrations against the Apartheid Act in 1960.

Racism is a virus that quickly mutates and, instead of disappearing, goes into hiding, and lurks in waiting. Instances of racism continue to shame us, for they show that our supposed social progress is not as real or definitive as we think. #FightRacism #FratelliTutti

- Pope Francis (@Pontifex) March 21, 2021