“Religious freedom is violated in almost one third of countries around the world.” That's what the Vatican representative to the United Nations stressed during the recent UN Human Rights Council.
The representative, Archbishop Ettore Balestrero, is also the Apostolic Nuncio to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He visited Pope Francis last year.
Aligning with the Vatican's message, the UN Secretary General said that eradicating persecution is of great concern for the council.
ANTONIO GUTIERREZ
Secretary General, United Nations
From the epidemic of violence against women and girls, to the activities of criminal gangs, to rising antisemitism, anti-Muslim bigotry, the persecution of minority Christian communities, and discrimination against minorities of all kinds, many people do not feel safe in their own communities.
During his General Audience on Wednesday, Pope Francis also denounced a recent episode of religious persecution.
POPE FRANCIS
We pray for the victims of the recent attacks on places of worship in Burkina Faso, as well as for the people of Haiti, where crimes and kidnappings by armed gangs continue.
In fact, Aid to the Church in Need's 2023 report concluded that 325 million Christians live in situations of discrimination or persecution worldwide.
PA
TR: AT
