Pope Francis has warned against populist leaders, saying that Germany
came to elect one in 1933, and ended up with Adolf Hitler as its
dictator.
“Crises provoke fear, alarm. In my opinion, the most common example of European populism is Germany in 1933…
A people that was immersed in a crisis, that looked for its identity
until this charismatic leader came and promised to give their identity
back, and he gave them a distorted identity, and we all know what
happened,” he said in an interview with the Spanish newspaper El Pais.
destroyed his people.”
“In times of crisis, we lack judgment, and that is a constant reference for
me… That is why I always try to say: talk among yourselves, talk to one
another,” he added.
Francis was talking to the
newspaper as Donald Trump was sworn it as the new US president in
Washington,
DC. The Pontiff said he would not jump to
conclusions on Trump, whom some critic say has authoritarian leanings,
but will instead observe his actions before passing judgment.
does, and then I will have an opinion. But being afraid or rejoicing beforehand
because of something that might happen is, in my view, quite unwise. It would
be like prophets predicting calamities”
According
to RT, there are growing concerns over the rise of populism in the
West, particularly in Europe, where previously marginal parties have
been gaining
popularity amid economic problems and the migrant crisis.
“Some political observers
say the term ‘populist’ is often used to brand counter-establishment political
forces as irrelevant and dangerous
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