Pope Francis Calls for End to Discrimination Based on Religion and Gender

Pope Francis, in a meeting with representatives of the Afghan community, called for an end to discrimination based on religion and gender.

Nearly three years have passed since the Taliban took power, and reports from Afghanistan show widespread discrimination among ethnic groups, religions, minorities, and particularly women in the country. Since most Taliban members are Pashtun Sunnis, they strongly condemn the activities of other religions and, through gender apartheid practices, have banned girls’ education beyond primary school and barred women from working in government and private institutions, while imposing numerous pressures and strictures against women and girls.

Pope Francis, the leader of Catholics worldwide, met and held talks with a nine-member delegation of the Afghan Community Association in Italy during his weekly meeting. After this meeting, he also addressed the public and, while condemning violence and discrimination based on religion and gender, asked people to pray for an end to discrimination in Afghanistan and Pakistan, particularly discrimination against women.

Addressing the people, he said: “Afghanistan and Pakistan are composed of many ethnic groups, all of whom take pride in their unique cultures, traditions, and ways of life. However, instead of protecting and supporting these characteristics and the rights of all groups, some people use cultural, ethnic, or religious diversity as a pretext for discriminating against and rejecting other groups.”

He emphasized that religion, by its very nature and essence, should help reduce the intensity of contradictions and create an environment where everyone can enjoy full citizenship rights equally and without discrimination. However, most often religion is manipulated and used as a tool to achieve contradictory goals such as creating tensions, hatred, and violence. No one should encourage hatred, resentment, and violence against others in the name of God.

Pope Francis, while referring to the tense situation in the Middle East following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and expressing concern about escalating tensions and conflicts in the region, added: “I continue to follow the situation in the Middle East with great concern, and I repeat my appeal to all parties involved that this conflict should not expand and immediate ceasefires should be established on all fronts, especially in Gaza where the humanitarian situation is extremely severe and unbearable.”