The head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, condemned domestic violence against women as ‘almost Satanic’ during a programme on the national TV channel of Italy named TG5 network on Sunday evening. It is one of the strongest languages he has ever used on any issue.
He was speaking to panelists belonging to difficult backgrounds, including a survivor of domestic abuse. In the programme, issues such as domestic violence, poverty, and economic impact on citizens due to the pandemic were discussed.
The Pope expressed his serious concern about a very high number of women who faced abuse and were beaten in their homes.
He said, “The problem is that, for me, it is almost satanic because it is taking advantage of a person who cannot defend herself, who can only [try to] block the blows.”
He added, “It is humiliating. Very humiliating.”
He spoke these words to the survivor of domestic abuse, Giovanna, who shared her experience of escaping from a violent home with her four children.
He added encouraging words by saying that women who suffered abuse do not lose their dignity.
He told Giovanna, “I see dignity in you because if you didn’t have dignity, you wouldn’t be here.”
While addressing the survivor, he urged to keep hope alive even during the pandemic.
He added a supporting comment, “You are giving an example of resistance, a lesson of resistance to calamities,” he said. “You are coming out better than before.”