VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis warned of the “scourge of antisemitism” in his Angelus prayer on Sunday, the eve of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, noting it marks 80 years since the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp.
“The horror of the extermination of millions of Jewish people and others of different faiths during those years must never be forgotten or denied,” Francis said, citing the example of Hungarian-born poet Edith Bruck, who lives in Rome.
He noted that many Christians were also killed in Nazi concentration camps, “among whom there were numerous martyrs.”
“I renew my appeal for everyone to work together to eradicate the scourge of antisemitism, along with every form of discrimination and religious persecution,” Francis said.
“Together, let us build a more fraternal, just world, educating young people to have hearts open to all, in the spirit of fraternity, forgiveness, and peace,” he added.
The pontiff also launched an appeal for an end to the civil war in Sudan, which began in April 2023, saying it is causing “the most severe humanitarian crisis in the world, with dramatic consequences even in South Sudan.”
Faithful leave St. Peter’s Basilica at the end of a mass presided by Pope Francis at the Vatican, January 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
The pope also expressed concern for the situation in Colombia’s Catatumbo region, where many civilians have been killed by clashes between armed groups, which have forced over 30,000 people to leave their homes.
The pope, as leader of the 1.4-billion-member Roman Catholic Church, is usually careful about taking sides in conflicts, but has recently been more outspoken against Israel’s military campaign against Hamas in Gaza. He has also met frequently with family members of those taken hostage in the Palestinian terror group’s October 7, 2023, onslaught in southern Israel and has repeatedly called for their release.
Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.
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