New York Post, by Mary Kay Linge: Pope Francis warned of a global “retreat from democracy” Saturday as he arrived for a three-day visit to Greece — the birthplace of Western civilization.
“Democracy … demands hard work and patience,” he told diplomats and political leaders at the Presidential Palace in Athens. “It is complex; whereas authoritarianism is peremptory and populism’s easy answers appear attractive.”
“Today, and not only in Europe, we are witnessing a retreat from democracy,” the pontiff said in a speech that made multiple references to classical Greek thinkers like Socrates and Aristotle.
“The international community needs … to open up paths of peace through a multilateralism that will not end up being stifled by excessive nationalistic demands,” he said, urging international action on climate change, poverty and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The pope’s appearance came as nationalist politicians from France, Hungary, Italy and other European nations gathered in Warsaw for a summit meeting to consider forming a grand coalition that would counter leftist forces in the European Parliament.
Prophetic Link:
“At the same time anarchy is seeking to sweep away all law, not only divine, but human. The centralizing of wealth and power; the vast combinations for the enriching of the few at the expense of the many; the combinations of the poorer classes for the defense of their interests and claims; the spirit of unrest, of riot and bloodshed; the world-wide dissemination of the same teachings that led to the French Revolution—all are tending to involve the whole world in a struggle similar to that which convulsed France.” Education, page 228.2.