VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Adult democracies must resist 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 any country or specific incident in his address to diplomats, he spoke of events of the past year “in countries with a long democratic tradition” that had demonstrated the need for “inclusive, peaceful, constructive and respectful dialogue”.
“The development of a democratic consciousness requires that the emphasis on individual personalities be overcome and that respect for the rule of law prevails,” he said, without mentioning an individual politician.
“Indeed, the law is the indispensable condition for the exercise of all power and must be guaranteed by the responsible governing bodies regardless of dominant political interests,” he said.
In recent years there has been a rise of populist politicians in the United States, Latin America and some European countries.
Democracy requires the pursuit of “inclusive, peaceful, constructive and respectful dialogue between all components of civil society in every city and nation,” said the Pope.
Francis made his comments in a lengthy speech during his annual meeting with diplomats accredited to the Vatican, which has relations with more than 180 countries.
Reporting by Philip Pullella; Editing by Alison Williams