Blaj, Romania, Jun 2, 2019 / 07:45 am
The history of humanity still echoes the relationship of Cain and Abel, Pope Francis told the Romani community on Sunday.
In the final stop of his three-day apostolic trip to Romania, the pope met with the minority community, often called "gypsies," in the city of Blaj May 2. The Romani, also known as "travelers" in much of Europe, form a marginal and minority people present in countries across the continent.
Francis told the community that the experiences of prejudice and rejection they encountered were all too common, and that they "weighed down" on the pope's heart.
"History tells us that Christians too, including Catholics, are not strangers to such evil. I would like to ask your forgiveness for this. I ask forgiveness – in the name of the Church and of the Lord – and I ask forgiveness of you," the pope said.