DUMPING PLASTIC IN WATERWAYS IS ‘CRIMINAL’, SAYS POPE

Mon 07 February 2022:

On Monday, Pope Francis stated that dumping plastic in rivers is “criminal” and should be prohibited. . “Throwing plastic into the sea is criminal. It kills biodiversity, it kills the earth, it kills everything.”

He further added, “Looking after creation is an education (process) in which we must engage,” citing a song by Brazilian singer Roberto Carlos in which a boy asks his father why “the river no longer sings,” to which the father responds, “we finished it off”.

He made these remarks during an hour-long interview on Channel 3 of state broadcaster RAI.

Francis has made environmental protection a priority during his pontificate.

During the interview, he recounted how Italian fishermen came to him and told him they had found many tons of plastic in the Adriatic Sea.

Francis was also asked about the war, for which he said, “Think about it. If we were to stop making weapons for one year, we could feed and educate the whole world. We have become accustomed to wars. It’s tough but it’s the truth.”

This comes just one day after Pope Francis condemned female genital mutilation and prostitute trafficking. His remarks came on the United Nations’ International Day Against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

“This practice, which is unfortunately common in various parts of the world, humiliates the dignity of a woman and gravely attacks her physical integrity,” Francis said

Francis, speaking to pilgrims and tourists in St. Peter’s Square for his weekly blessing and address, noted that the practice was often carried out in conditions that endangered a girl’s health.

In a related plea, Francis appealed for further measures to combat human trafficking, notably the prostitution of women and girls.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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