Pope condemns supporters of conspiracy theories
People take part in a protest against the planned visit of the US president to the World Economic Forum in Davos, in Bern. The annual meeting of the world's political and business elite at the luxury Swiss ski resort often draws small protests against its famous participants and the global trade agenda. The World Economic Forum is sometimes blamed for being a conspiracy. Photo AFP, Ruben Sprich
Southern Europe
Pope Francis has sharply condemned supporters of conspiracy theories at Sunday's Mass at St. Peter's Basilica.
The head of the Roman Catholic Church called on people not to be misled by "prophets of doom" and "sirens of populism." According to him, they exploited people's needs and only proposed simple and superficial solutions. This reports the German Catholic news site Katholisch.de. "Let's not go after the false 'messiahs' who, in the name of profit, proclaim recipes for success that only serve to increase the wealth of a few, while marginalising the poor," said the Church leader.
In his sermon, Francis called on Christians to have courage and responsibility, even in the face of a "third world war". So they should not be frightened but stand up for justice and peace and stand by the weakest. "Let's not run away to get out of history safely; let's fight to give this history a different face," said the Pope.
Lunch
After the Mass, an estimated 1300 people took part in a lunch. On the World Day of the Poor. Pope Francis ate lunch with hundreds of refugees, poor and homeless people. Children threw their arms around his neck as he sat at one of the dozens of tables set up in the Vatican audience hall, reports ABC news.
Since 2016, the Vatican has been organising campaigns and additional offers of help around the day proclaimed by the Pope.
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