Entire nation condemn racism and the brutal murder of Black man

Pope Francis spoke at the General Audience about the protests in the United States following the killing of George Floyd, saying we cannot claim to defend the sacredness of every human life while turning a blind eye to racism and exclusion.

Pope Francis called for national reconciliation in the United States on Wednesday, saying that while racism is intolerable, the street violence that has broken out is “self-destructive and self-defeating”.

Floyd, 46, an unarmed black man, suffocated as a white police officer knelt on his neck, sparking widespread demonstrations against systemic racism and police brutality.