Vatican condemns hate speech as bringing violence, division

On September 17, Archbishop Christophe-Zakhia El-Kassis, the new permanent observer of the Holy See to the UN, delivered his first address since being appointed by Pope Leo XIV in July. He spoke in New York at the Global Conference on Promoting Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue and Tolerance in Countering Hate Speech.

Archbishop El-Kassis reaffirmed the Holy See’s position that all human beings possess inviolable human dignity that cannot be diminished. He also warned against threats to this dignity, including hate speech.

“Hate speech – whether directed against individuals or communities on the basis of their religion, ethnicity, nationality or any other characteristic – contradicts the commandment to love one’s neighbour, poisons public discourse, inflames division and too often prepares the ground for violence and persecution,” Archbishop El-Kassis said.

He also affirmed the Holy See’s recognition of the right to freedom of expression, provided that one is mindful of the responsibilities that accompany this freedom.

The archbishop also cited Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, reminding those present that the “first contribution we can make toward a more humane civilisation is to be mindful of our words”.

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Vatican tells UN: Hate speech is poison that leads to violence and persecution (By Ishmael Adibuah/EWTN News)