Pope Francis urges eradication of antisemitism, says horror of the Holocaust must never be forgotten

Pope Francis warned of the "scourge of antisemitism" in his Angelus prayer on Sunday, the eve of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, noting it marks 80 years since the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp.

"The horror of the extermination of millions of Jewish people and others of different faiths during those years must never be forgotten or denied," Francis said, citing the example of Hungarian-born poet Edith Bruck, who lives in Rome.

"I renew my appeal for everyone to work together to eradicate the scourge of anti-Semitism, along with every form of discrimination and religious persecution," Francis said. "Together, let us build a more fraternal, just world, educating young people to have hearts open to all, in the spirit of fraternity, forgiveness, and peace."