Domestic violence against women is “almost satanic”, says Pope Francis

Pope Francis said that men who commit violence against women engage in something that is “almost satanic.”

The pontiff’s speech, one of the strongest comments he has ever made to condemn this form of violence, was made during a program broadcast this Sunday night (19th) on the Italian network TG5, in which he spoke with three women and a man – all from Difficult origins.

“The number of women who are beaten and abused in their homes, even by their husbands, is very, very high,” Francisco said in response to a question from a woman named Giovanna, a victim of domestic violence.

“The problem is that, for me, it’s almost satanic because it’s taking advantage of a person who can’t defend himself, who can only [tentar] block the blows,” he said.

“It’s humiliating. Very humiliating”, completed Francisco.

Giovanna said she had four children to care for after they fled a violent home.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic began nearly two years ago, Francisco has spoken out repeatedly against domestic violence, which has risen in many countries since restrictions left many women trapped with their abusers.

In Italy, police data released last month showed that there are about 90 episodes of violence against women in the country every day – 62% were cases of domestic violence.

Francisco said battered and abused women have not lost their dignity. “I see dignity in you because if you didn’t have dignity, you wouldn’t be here,” he told Giovanna.

He also heard a homeless woman talk about life on the street and a man trying to re-enter society after 25 years in prison.

Francisco set up services in the area around the Vatican to provide medical care, bathing and haircuts to Rome’s homeless.

In 2020, when a site near St. Peter’s Square, which was once a convent, was left empty, he ordered it to be turned into a homeless shelter, rejecting suggestions that it be converted into a luxury hotel.

(edited by William Maclean, Reuters)