Pope decries shame of racism, like ‘virus’ lurking in wait
Headline:
Female job seeker held at gunpoint and raped in Narayanganj
28 students receive Dean’s Award for the first time at Comilla University
Large portion of workforce remains informal; Commerce Minister urges formalization
BGMEA thanks govt for releasing Tk 2,500 crore in export incentives

Pope decries shame of racism, like ‘virus’ lurking in wait

Pope decries shame of racism, like ‘virus’ lurking in wait
A nun stands in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, March 21, 2021. Pope Francis has denounced racism, likening it to a virus that lurks in waiting and continues to be shameful. Francis in a tweet on Sunday called racism “a virus that quickly mutates and, instead of disappearing, goes into hiding, and lurks in waiting.” (AP Photo)


Pope Francis on Sunday denounced racism, likening it to a virus that lurks in waiting and only to emerge and show that “our supposed social progress is not as real or definitive” as people think.

Francis tweeted on racism on the date that the United Nations marks as International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

The pope likened racism to a “a virus that quickly mutates and, instead of disappearing, goes into hiding, and lurks in waiting.”

Also read: Francis becomes 1st pope to endorse same-sex civil unions

“Instances of racism continue to shame us, for they show that our supposed social progress is not as real or definitive as we think,” Francis tweeted, adding the hashtags #FightRacism #FratelliTutti. “Fratelli Tutti” is the title of the encyclical, or special teaching document, which the pope issued last year in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic to press for solidarity, brotherhood and care for the environment worldwide.

Also read: Pope visits Iraq's war-ravaged north on last day of tour

In his tweet, Francis cited no particular instance of racism or place. Throughout his papacy, he has championed the rights of people who are marginalized in societies, including migrants.

The annual U.N. commemoration on March 21 falls on the anniversary of the day that police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid laws in 1960.

Also read:  Pope urges vaccine access to poorest nations

Subscribe UNB YouTube Channel