The pontiff also criticized politicians who were in « an obsessive quest for popularity » and making unrealistic promises.
Pope Francis has warned about countries retreating from democracy and urged people to move from « partisanship to participation » in order to protect the vulnerable in society. The head of the Roman Catholic Church was speaking to political leaders in the Greek capital of Athens on Saturday at the beginning of a three-day visit to the European nation. Francis also warned against populism and criticized politicians who are engaged in « an obsessive quest for popularity » and make unrealistic promises, though he did not name any particular person or country. « We cannot avoid noting with concern how today, and not only in Europe, we are witnessing a retreat from democracy, » the pontiff said at the country’s presidential palace. « Democracy requires participation and involvement on the part of all. Consequently, it demands hard work and patience, » Francis said. « It is complex, whereas authoritarianism is peremptory and populism’s easy answers appear attractive, » he added.
