Pope Leo XIV warns of 'new Orwellian-style language,' condemns 'jihadist violence'

Pope Leo XIV is warned of "new Orwellian-style language," and condemned "jihadist violence." 

He made the warning Friday during an address to members of the diplomatic corps.

"It is painful to see how, especially in the West, the space for genuine freedom of expression is rapidly shrinking," Leo said, Fox News reported. "At the same time, a new Orwellian-style language is developing which, in an attempt to be increasingly inclusive, ends up excluding those who do not conform to the ideologies that are fueling it."

​​"At this moment in history, freedom of conscience seems increasingly to be questioned by States, even those that claim to be based on democracy and human rights," he said. "This freedom, however, establishes a balance between the collective interest and individual dignity. It also emphasizes that a truly free society does not impose uniformity but protects the diversity of consciences, preventing authoritarian tendencies and promoting an ethical dialogue that enriches the social fabric."

The pope also condemned "jihadist violence," and called the persecution of Christians "one of the most widespread human rights crises today, affecting over 380 million believers worldwide."

"Here, I would especially call to mind the many victims of violence, including religiously motivated violence in Bangladesh, in the Sahel region and in Nigeria, as well as those of the serious terrorist attack last June on the parish of Saint Elias in Damascus," he said. "Nor do I forget the victims of jihadist violence in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique."

Last year, it was estimated that more than 16 million Christians have been displaced from their homes in sub-Saharan Africa, facing threats of persecution, kidnapping, sexual violence, and death from Islamist radicals.