Speaking ill of others and hurting them with cruel language is "the terrorism of words," Pope Francis said Thursday in the Polish city of Krakow
"Gossip is the terrorism of worlds, insulting ones heart, dignity and in this young person's case, nationality," Francis told at participants at the World Youth Day celebrations, quoted by Vatican Radio.
He was replying to a question from a girl who asked him how she could forgive bullies who drove her to attempt suicide after she arrived in Italy six years ago with limited knowledge of the language.
"We must ask the Lord for help in choosing to forgive and forget fully and ask Him to forgive those who hurt us," Francis said.
Francis attacked gossip in two recent sermons. Petty gossip and criticism are "forms of persecution," he said in a homily on 2 May.
People who do not gossip or speak badly of others are "on the right path to becoming a saint," Francis said in a sermon on 24 May.
