Pope Francis remembered to the press, that it is not Christian to build walls and he explained that it is the product of “fear”. His words were a reference to the barrier that the Trump Administration wants to build on the Mexican border.
The Holy Father shared ideas and comments with more than 70 journalists during his flight to Panama where he will participate at the 34th World Youth Day.
It is the Pontiff first trip in 2019 and takes him back to Latin America, but for a meeting that unites young Catholics from all over the world in Panama.
An Italian journalist who had covered the migrants caravan told the Bishop of Rome that what he had seen about the wall “was crazy”.
Pope Francis nodded and answered reflexively: “Yes, it is fear that drives us crazy.”
Regarding the marketing of fear, the Vicar of Christ explained the way some issues are handled by the States to get more power without solving the problems.
Francisco recommended the reading of an editorial in the Vatican newspaper “Il Osservatore romano” in which the secretary general of the United Nations Antonio Guterres defined fear as “the best-selling brand in today’s world because it seduces people, wins votes and gets clicks “.
The Pope has always advocated “building bridges and not walls” and during one of his trips he affirmed that “it is not Christian” to builds walls, in reference to the intention announced by the former candidate and now president of the United States, Donald Trump, to complete the wall on the border with Mexico.
Francis will land in Panama at 16.30 local (21.30 GMT). Before leaving for Panama, the pontiff received today at the Casa de Santa Marta a group of eight young refugees from various nations, including El Salvador and Venezuela.
When arriving at the Tocumen International Airport he will be officially received by a delegation headed by President Juan Carlos Varela.
Then he will go to the Apostolic Nunciature, where he will stay during his visit until Sunday the 27th. The 28 kilometers of the route will be done partly with the open popemobile.
