Vatican City, –
Pope Francis on Monday condemned violence against women, saying Italy is in the midst of a national struggle to figure out how to break away from a deeply patriarchal culture that often leads to femicide.
Francis has repeatedly called for an end to violence against women. But his remarks on Monday were his first since Italy was outraged by the brutal murder of 22-year-old university student Giulia Cecchettin in November.
The killing sparked protests across the country and calls for respect for girls to be taught in school programs starting at the kindergarten level.
“All societies need to embrace the gift of womanhood, all women, and respect women, recognizing that anyone who harms a single woman dishonors the God who is born of women. , defend and respect.”
Italian lawmakers have unanimously backed a number of measures to crack down on violence against women, after the killings restarted a national debate on the issue.
Her ex-boyfriend confessed to the killing, his lawyer told reporters.
According to Italy’s Interior Ministry, more than 100 women were murdered in 2023, about half of them by their partners or ex-partners. Femicide became a common word in newspaper headlines.
Outrage over Cecchettin’s murder coincided with the box office success of C’e Ancora Domani (There’s Still Tomorrow), which tells the story of a woman who was assaulted by her husband.
The film, set in Rome just after World War II when women won the right to vote, is now used as a teaching material in schools across the country.
The Pope made the comments during a homily at Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on the day the Roman Catholic Church commemorates the Solemnity of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary of God, which is also the Church’s World Day of Peace. .
Francis said women play an important role in setting examples of peace.
“The world, too, needs to look to mothers and women to find peace, to break out of the spiral of violence and hatred, and to once again see things with true human eyes and hearts.”
(Reporting by Philip Pulla; Editing by Alison Williams)