VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Mature democracies must avoid the temptation to glorify an individual political personality and ensure that the rule of law prevails over partisan interests, Pope Francis said Monday.
Without mentioning a country or specific incident in his speech to diplomats, he spoke of events in recent years ‘in countries with a long democratic tradition’ which call for an ‘inclusive, peaceful, constructive and respectful dialogue’ showed.
“The development of a democratic consciousness requires that the emphasis on individual personalities be overcome and that respect for the rule of law prevail,” he said, without naming any individual politician.
“Rights are indeed the indispensable prerequisite for the exercise of all power and must be guaranteed by the responsible governing bodies, regardless of the dominant political interests,” he said.
In recent years, populist politicians have increased in the United States, Latin America, and some European countries.
Democracy demands the pursuit of ‘inclusive, peaceful, constructive and respectful dialogue between all the components of civil society in every city and nation’, the pope said.
Francis made his remarks in a lengthy speech at his annual meeting with Vatican-accredited diplomats who have relations with more than 180 countries.
Reported by Philip Pullella; Edited by Alison Williams