Pope Francis has called on gypsies to “uproot secular prejudice” and “preconceived ideas” about the travelling community.
The Pontiff was speaking to 7,000 gypsies in the Paul VI Hall, at the Vatican, to mark the 50th anniversary of Blessed Paul VI’s meeting with Roma people in a camp near Rome.
“Time has come, he said, to uproot secular prejudice, preconceived ideas and the reciprocal diffidence that are often at the base of discrimination, racism and xenophobia” the Pope said, according to Vatican Radio.
He added: “No one is entitled to trample on the dignity and the rights of others”.
The Pope urged the gathering to reach out to the rest of society in order to foster “peaceful co-habitation”.
“We do not want to have to witness any more family tragedies in which children die from cold or are burnt in fires” he said.
The Pontiff reportedly called on the Roma, Sinti and other travelling groups to become protagonists of fraternity, before adding, “You can do this if you are good Christians, avoiding all that is not worthy of this name: lies, frauds, swindles, altercations”.
The Pope also held up Blessed Zeffirino Giménez Malla as a model of religiosity and called on travellers to ensure their children receive an education.
“Your children have the right to go to school, do not stop them from doing so!” he said.
Areas of Catholic Herald business are still recovering post-pandemic.
However, we are reaching out to the Catholic community and readership, that has been so loyal to the Catholic Herald. Please join us on our 135 year mission by supporting us.
We are raising £250,000 to safeguard the Herald as a world-leading voice in Catholic journalism and teaching.
We have been a bold and influential voice in the church since 1888, standing up for traditional Catholic culture and values. Please consider donating.