Pope Francis has said an “epidemic of animosity” toward religious and ethnic minorities is hurting the weakest in society, in a thinly veiled assessment of the rise of populist nationalism. The 79-year-old Argentinian pontiff has repeatedly voiced support for immigrants, and last year made an impassioned speech on cultural diversity in Philadelphia. 'Never be ashamed': Pope forcefully defends immigrants in Philadelphia Read moreTrump branded Pope Francis “disgraceful” in February after he suggested the billionaire tycoon was “not a Christian” because of his plan to build a wall along the US border with Mexico. In January Tobin will become archbishop of Newark, New Jersey, while Pence will be installed as US vice-president. It was the third cardinal election since Francis’ inauguration in 2013 as the first non-European pontiff in 1,300 years.

Source: The Guardian November 19, 2016 16:52 UTC