- BIST10011,430-2.49%
- USD49.45+0.05%
- EUR55.62+0.37%
- GOLD4,159.50-0.01%
- INTEREST37.00%-1.00
- BITCOIN81,968-0.05%
- October 20, 202616°
- BIST10011,430-2.49%
- USD49.45+0.05%
- EUR55.62+0.37%
- GOLD4,159.50-0.01%
- INTEREST37.00%-1.00
- BITCOIN81,968-0.05%
- October 20, 202616°
Pope Leo XIV Issued a Historic Apology for the Holy See's Role in Justifying Slavery
Pope Leo XIV issued an apology for the first time for the Holy See's role in justifying slavery and shed light on the Vatican's history on this matter.
Pope Leo XIV issued a historic apology for the Holy See's role in justifying slavery. The Pope described the Vatican's record on this issue as "a wound in Christian memory." Previous popes had apologized for Christians' role in the transatlantic slave trade, but none had publicly disclosed that past popes authorized European rulers to enslave non-Muslims. Leo XIV, the first US-born pope, noted that his family included both slaves and slave owners. He explained his apology in his first encyclical themed on protecting humanity in an age of increasing dependence on artificial intelligence, "Magnifica Humanitas." The Pope recalled the 15th-century papal bulls issued by the Vatican granting Portuguese kings the right to conquer the continents of Africa and America and to enslave non-Muslims. These bulls formed the basis of the "Doctrine of Discovery," which legitimized land seizures during the colonial period. In 2023, the Vatican officially rejected the Doctrine of Discovery but did not annul the related bulls. Pope Leo XIV stated that the Church has always defended human dignity but that a full stance against slavery only occurred centuries later. He also highlighted that digital technology feeds new forms of slavery and emphasized that if human dignity is not respected, future apologies may be necessary.
Stay Updated with The Turkiye Times
Subscribe to be informed about special news, developments and announcements. We will keep you informed.
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy
