Pope tells mafia to stop evil or prepare for hell
- 10 years ago
Pope Francis calls on the mafia to turn away from evil.
This while attending a vigil held by the families of organized crime victims in Rome.
He paused to bless some of their pictures.
A long list of names - all victims of mafia violence.
After which, the Pope sent a very clear message to perpetrators of organized crime:
(SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE FRANCIS SAYING:
"Convert, you still have time not to end up in hell, that is what awaits you if you continue on this path. You too had a father and a mother, think of them, cry a little and convert."
Organized crime continues to be a major problem in many Italian cities.
And in the past two decades, it's greatly extended its influence into Rome and Milan.
This while attending a vigil held by the families of organized crime victims in Rome.
He paused to bless some of their pictures.
A long list of names - all victims of mafia violence.
After which, the Pope sent a very clear message to perpetrators of organized crime:
(SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE FRANCIS SAYING:
"Convert, you still have time not to end up in hell, that is what awaits you if you continue on this path. You too had a father and a mother, think of them, cry a little and convert."
Organized crime continues to be a major problem in many Italian cities.
And in the past two decades, it's greatly extended its influence into Rome and Milan.