Identifying Islam With Violence is Wrong And Untrue, says the Pope

“If I speak of Islamic violence, I have to speak of Catholic violence. Not all Muslims are violent,” he said.

Pope Francis said on Sunday that it was wrong to identify Islam with violence and that social injustice and idolatry of money were among the prime causes of terrorism.

I think it is not right to identity Islam with violence. This is not right and this is not true.

Pope Francis to reporters aboard a Rome-bound plane

Francis was responding to a question about the killing on 26 July of an 85-year-old Roman Catholic priest by knife-wielding attackers who burst into a church service in western France, forced the priest to his knees and slit his throat. The attack was claimed by ISIS.

I think that in nearly all religions there is always a small fundamentalist group. We (Catholics) have them. I don’t like to talk about Islamic violence because every day when I look at the papers I see violence here in Italy — someone killing his girlfriend, someone killing his mother-in-law. These are baptised Catholics. If I speak of Islamic violence, I have to speak of Catholic violence. Not all Muslims are violent. 

Pope Francis

He said there were various causes of terrorism.

I know it dangerous to say this but terrorism grows when there is no other option and when money is made a god and it, instead of the person, is put at the centre of the world economy. That is the first form of terrorism. That is a basic terrorism against all humanity. Let’s talk about that. 

Pope Francis

When he started the trip on Wednesday, Francis said the killing of the priest and a string of other attacks were proof the “world is at war”, but that it was not caused by religion.

He told reporters on the plane that lack of economic opportunities for young people in Europe was also to blame for terrorism.

“I ask myself how many young people that we Europeans have left devoid of ideals, who do not have work. Then they turn to drugs and alcohol or enlist in ISIS,” he said, referring to the group also known as Islamic State.