(ANSA) - Tbilisi, September 30 - Pope Francis on Friday told authorities and diplomats in Georgia's presidential palace Friday he hoped the country's "path of peace and development" continues 25 years after it gained independence. Francis urged the "commitment of all parts of society, to create the conditions of stability, equity and respect for law fit to foster growth and increase opportunities for all".
Francis said Friday that dialogue was necessary "in the present time in history when there is no lack of violent extremism that manipulates and distorts civil and religious principles to use them for dark designs of domination and death".