Pope urges Americans to shun violence, seek reconciliation in wake of Capitol riot
Pope Francis has called on Americans to avoid violence, seek reconciliation and “protect democratic values,” days after thousands of angry protesters laid a deadly siege to the US Capitol in support of outgoing President Donald Trump.
“I repeat that violence is self-destructive, always. Nothing is gained by violence and so much is lost,” the 84-year-old pontiff said in his Sunday address.
On Wednesday, Trump’s supporters stormed the US Congress building, as members were carrying out the ceremonial count of Electoral College votes to certify President-elect Joe Biden's election victory.
Capitol police were overwhelmed and House members and senators fled the scene as shots were fired to disperse the crowd. Police later cleared the Capitol of the rioters, enforced a curfew, and arrested dozens of people.
Five people, including a police officer who later succumbed to his wounds, were killed in the unpreceded violence.
“I appeal to the authorities of the country and to the entire population to maintain a lofty sense of responsibility in order to calm things down, promote national reconciliation and protect democratic values that are rooted in American society,” Francis further said.
In the wake of the riot, dozens of people have been charged, with the FBI asking the public to help identify those involved in the storming of the Capitol, as footage of the riot have circulated online.
The Pope also said that he wanted to send “an affectionate greeting” to all Americans, noting that the country was “shaken by the recent siege on Congress.”
The pontiff also said that he was praying for those who lost their lives “in those dramatic moments” and prayed that all Americans would “keep alive a culture of encounter, a culture of caring, as the master way to build together the common good.”
After two months of refusing to concede defeat in the November 3 election, Trump goaded his supporters to march from the White House to the Capitol, calling on them to “fight like hell.”
The breach prompted calls from some members of Congress, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, for the urgent removal of Trump from power.
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