Written by Don Byrd
Pope Francis today spoke out against the persecution of Christians around the world, particularly in those countries that claim religious liberty in name, but not in reality.
Reuters reports:
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”.
“This injustice should be denounced and eliminated…,” he said.
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 worshiping in public.
Meanwhile in Iraq, a series of Christmas Day bombings targeting Christian churches in Baghdad killed 37.
