TRIESTE, Italy. Pope Francis delivered a stark critique of populist politics and expressed grave concerns about the state of democracy worldwide during a visit to Trieste on Sunday. This marked his fourth trip to Italy in just over two months as he prepared for an extensive journey across Asia in September, the longest of his papacy.
Addressing an annual Roman Catholic convention on social affairs, the 87-year-old pontiff lamented that many people feel marginalized within democratic systems, with the poor and vulnerable often left neglected. “It is evident that democracy is not in good health in today’s world,” he declared, condemning the divisive effects of polarization and partisan ideologies.
“Ideologies are seductive,” Pope Francis cautioned, drawing a parallel to the Pied Piper of Hamelin fairy tale, where promises lead to self-denial. While highlighting a global “crisis of democracy,” he refrained from citing specific countries experiencing such challenges.
His remarks coincided with France’s parliamentary run-off election, where the far-right National Rally (RN) was poised for significant gains following populist successes in recent European Union elections. “Let us not be deceived by easy solutions. Let us instead be passionate about the common good,” urged the pope, emphasizing the damaging impact of political corruption and illegality.
Despite governing as an absolute monarch within the Vatican, Pope Francis stressed the importance of instilling democratic values in children, cautioning against the “cancer of democracy” that is indifference. “Why are we not scandalized in the face of rampant evil, the humiliation of life, labor issues, and the sufferings of migrants?” he questioned in a later homily during an open-air Mass.
The pontiff’s visit to Trieste follows earlier trips to Venice, Verona, and an address to Group of Seven leaders in southern Italy in June, all of which have tested his resilience amid ongoing health challenges. Using a wheelchair for mobility, Pope Francis appeared in good spirits, preparing for his upcoming journey spanning Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste (East Timor), and Singapore, covering over 32,000 km (19,900 miles) in September.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
