Pope Leo XIV warns woke ideology undermining free speech in the West
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Addressing members of the diplomatic corps on Friday, Pope Leo XIV warned that “Orwellian” ideology was taking root in the West and undermining freedom of expression.
“It is painful to see that the space for true freedom of expression is rapidly shrinking, especially in the West,” Pope Leo said. in question. “At the same time, a new Orwellian language is developing that, in an effort to be increasingly inclusive, excludes those who do not conform to the ideologies that nourish it.”
Freedom of conscience is also increasingly under attack, the Pope said.
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In his address to members of the diplomatic corps, Pope Leo XIV warned that woke ideology has taken root in the West and undermines freedom of expression. (Simone Risoluti – Vatican Pool/Vatican Media via Getty Images)
“At this moment in history, freedom of conscience seems to be increasingly questioned, even by states that claim to be based on democracy and human rights,” Pope Leo said. “But this freedom strikes a balance between collective interest and individual dignity. It also emphasizes that a truly free society does not impose uniformity, but preserves diversity of conscience, prevents authoritarian tendencies, and encourages an ethical dialogue that enriches the social fabric.”
The pope also condemned “jihadist violence” and called the persecution of Christians “one of the most widespread human rights crises of our day, affecting more than 380 million believers worldwide.”
“I would like to call to mind here the many victims of violence, including religiously motivated violence, especially in Bangladesh, the Sahel region and Nigeria, as well as the serious terrorist attack on the Saint Elias neighborhood of Damascus last June,” he said. “And I do not forget the victims of jihadist violence in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique.”
EXPERTS SAY CHRISTIANS ARE TARGETED IN A SYSTEMATIC KIDNAPPING CAMPAIGN BY JIHADI HERDERS IN NIGERIA
People gather around the charred remains of a burnt vehicle after a deadly attack by jihadists in which 49 worshipers were killed at a church service in Komanda, in the eastern Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Sunday, July 27, 2025. (Olivier Okande/UGC via AP)
Fox News in August reported International observers witnessed ISIS-affiliated soldiers beheading Christians and burning churches and homes in Central and Southern Africa; Some of the most brutal attacks took place in Mozambique.
like that estimated More than 16 million Christians have been displaced from their homes in sub-Saharan Africa, facing persecution, kidnapping, sexual violence and, in some cases, death threats from Islamist radicals.
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A screenshot shows villagers examining the damage left by jihadist terrorists who killed 49 Christians in the Democratic Republic of Congo in late July. (Open Doors)
