Populism and imperialism threaten the world, Pope Francis said in his first speech on a trip to Bahrein Thursday.
“We are witnessing with concern the growth on a wide scale of indifference and mutual suspicion, the spread of rivalries and conflicts that we had hoped had been overcome, populism, extremism, and imperialism that jeopardize the security and safety of all,” said Francis.
The pope also called on authorities and people not to violate human rights and reiterated the Vatican’s opposition to the death penalty.
He called for full religious freedom.