Pope Francis claimed that men who commit violence against women do something that is “almost satanic”.
He made the comment, one of his most emphatic lines to condemn domestic violence, during a program broadcast this Sunday (19) by Italian broadcaster TG5, in which he talks to three women and a man from troubled backgrounds.
“The number of women who are assaulted and abused in their homes, even by their husbands, is very, very high,” Francisco said in response to a question asked by a woman named Giovanna, who was a victim of domestic violence.
“The problem is, for me, this is almost satanic because it’s about taking advantage of a person who can’t defend himself, who can just [tentar] blocking the attacks,” he said. “It’s humiliating. Very humiliating”.
Giovanna said she had to take care of four children after fleeing a violent home.
Since the Covid pandemic began nearly two years ago, Francisco has spoken out several times to denounce domestic violence, which has grown in several countries that have imposed isolation measures, forcing many women to be confined with their abusers.
Figures released by the Italian police last month show that there are around 90 episodes of violence against women every day, and that 62% of the cases involve domestic violence.
The pope said that women victims of aggression and abuse do not lose their dignity. “I see dignity in you because if you weren’t worthy, you wouldn’t be here,” he told Giovanna.
Addressing other examples of human misery, he heard the stories of a homeless woman and a man trying to rebuild his life after spending 25 years in prison.
Francis implemented initiatives in the area around the Vatican to give Rome’s homeless people access to health care, bathing and hairdressing.
In 2020, when a palace near St. Peter’s Square where a convent once functioned became vacant, the pontiff ordered the site to be turned into a shelter for homeless people, rejecting suggestions that the site should become a luxury hotel.
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