Pope Francis named
corruption, xenophobia and racism among the political vices he
highlighted in his message for the 52nd World Day of Peace on
New Year's Day.
"Politics also has its share of vices, whether due to
personal incompetence or to flaws in the system and its
institutions," the Argentine pontiff said in the message
entitled 'good politics at the service of peace' and which the
Vatican released on Tuesday.
"Clearly, these vices detract from the credibility of
political life overall, as well as the authority, decisions and
actions of those engaged in it.
"These vices, which undermine the ideal of an authentic
democracy, bring disgrace to public life and threaten social
harmony. We think of corruption in its varied forms: the
misappropriation of public resources, the exploitation of
individuals, the denial of rights, the flouting of community
rules, dishonest gain, the justification of power by force or
the arbitrary appeal to raison d'état and the refusal to
relinquish power.
"To which we can add xenophobia, racism, lack of concern for
the natural environment, the plundering of natural resources for
the sake of quick profit and contempt for those forced into
exile".
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
