Pope warns against racism

(August 19,2008) Pope Benedict XVI warned that racism is alive in modern society, and he urged the church to help overcome all forms of racial intolerance. He said racism today is often tied to economic and social problems, but although such problems may be real, they can never justify racial discrimination.
Addressing pilgrims after the Sunday Angelus prayer at his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, the Pope began his discourse by quoting the prophet Isaiah about the "foreigners" who will be included in the Lord's universal house of prayer. Likewise, the Pope said, “the church today is made up of people of every race and culture, and part of its mission is to help forge bonds of communion between races.” The Pope said, “That task includes helping civil society to overcome any possible temptation to racism, intolerance and exclusion. One of humanity's great achievements is, in fact, overcoming racism." he said. “Various countries had new, worrisome signs of racism, often tied to social and economic problems, but such problems could never justify racial contempt and discrimination" he added. The Pope asked for prayers so that mutual acceptance may grow in the world.