Pope: Indifference is a ‘cancer of democracy’

by CNS · July 9, 2024

By CNS – Catholics are called to be active participants in political life and be a force against the decline of democracy worldwide, Pope Francis said. “In today’s world, democracy – let’s be honest – is not in good health,” the pope told some 1,200 participants at an event during Italian Catholic Social Week in Trieste, Italy.

The pope travelled to the northern Italian city for a one-day visit July 7 to participate in the four-day conference organised by the Italian bishops’ conference on the theme “At the Heart of Democracy.” The Vatican published his talk the same day.

The pope warned of the “seductive” nature of ideologies and urged that society cultivate a sense of solidarity to combat them. “Everyone should feel part of a community project; no one should feel useless,” he said.

Certain approaches to welfare and social assistance “that do not recognise the dignity of people are social hypocrisy,” he said, reading again from his text. “And what is behind this distancing from social reality? There is indifference, and indifference is a cancer of democracy, a non-participation.” To combat indifference and heal the heart of democracy requires widespread participation in political life, the pope said.