Pope condemns violence

Pope Francis yesterday denounced discrimination against Christians, including in countries where religious freedom is in theory guaranteed by law.

He delivered his traditional noon prayer and address to thousands of people in St Peter’s Square on the day the Catholic Church commemorates St Stephen, its first martyr. The 77-year-old asked the crowd for a moment of silent prayer for “Christians who are unjustly accused and are subjected to every type of violence”.

Francis — celebrating his first Christmas season as pope — said “limitations and discrimination” against Christians was taking place not only in countries that do not grant full religious freedom but also where “on paper, freedom and human rights are protected”. Francis did not name any countries but the Vatican has long urged Saudi Arabia, the site of Islam’s holiest places, to lift a ban on Christians worshipping in public.