Rome - Pope Francis on Wednesday condemned the riots in the
United States that have broken out following the death of George
Floyd, calling them "self-destructive and self-defeating."
"Dear brothers and sisters from the United States, I am following
with great concern the disturbing social unrest happening in your
nation in these past days, following the tragic death of Mr George
Floyd," Francis said during his weekly audience.
"Dear friends, we cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to any kind of
racism or discrimination and pretend to claim to defend the
sacredness of every human life," he added.
"At the same time, we have to recognize that the violence of recent
nights is self-destructive and self-defeating. Nothing is gained by
violence and so much is lost," Francis concluded.
The pope said he was praying for "the repose of the soul of George
Floyd and of all those others who have lost their lives as a result
of the sin of racism," as well as for "grieving families" and
"national reconciliation and peace."
His remarks came a day after the Catholic archbishop of Washington,
Wilton Gregory, criticized a visit by President Donald Trump to the
Saint John Paul II National Shrine.
Floyd, an unarmed black man, died from asphyxiation on May 25 after a
policeman immobilized him after his arrest by kneeling on his neck
for several minutes.
The killing has sparked nationwide anti-racism protests and brought
again to the fore the issue of police violence and heavy-handed
tactics used against African Americans.