Pope Francis regrets “violence” in Brazil after Bolsonarista assault

Pope Francis lamented on Monday “the tensions” and “violence” in various countries of the American continent gripped by political crises, including Brazil, where Bolsonarists invaded seats of power on Sunday.

“I am thinking of the numerous political crises in various countries of the American continent, with their burden of tensions and forms of violence that exacerbate social conflicts,” Francis declared in a speech before the diplomatic corps.

“I am thinking especially of what happened recently in Peru and in the last few hours in Brazil,” he added.

The Supreme Pontiff described as “worrying” the “weakening, in many parts of the world, of democracy.”

On Sunday, thousands of Bolsonaristas broke through police barriers and stormed Congress, the presidential palace and the supreme court in Brasilia, smashing windows and vandalizing offices.

Brazilian authorities quickly launched their investigations, and leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who took office on January 1, vowed that “coup plotters” will be “punished.” (YO)