VATICAN CITY—Pope Francis expressed concern Monday over the rise of populism and nationalism, including separatist tendencies in Europe, partly blaming those growing trends on reactions to waves of migration and on globalization’s disorderly development. Francis offered wide-ranging and sometimes glum views on world issues in an hour-long speech to diplomats at the Holy See. Without specifying countries or political parties, Francis lamented national policies favouring “quick partisan consensus” over patient efforts for long-range solutions for the common good. Francis also reflected on the resurgence of nationalism in developed countries and cautioned against euro-skepticism gaining traction in Europe. He warned that in the decades before World War II, “populist and nationalist demands proved more forceful” than international efforts for peace.

Source: thestar January 07, 2019 15:00 UTC