The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

Pope Francis again warns against nationalism, says recent speeches sound like ‘Hitler in 1934’

August 9, 2019 at 4:32 p.m. EDT
Pope Francis arrives for his weekly general audience in Paolo VI hall at the Vatican on Aug. 7. (Maurizio Brambatti/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Pope Francis called for a united Europe in an interview published by Italian daily La Stampa on Friday, saying recent political rhetoric has echoed that of Nazi Germany.

“I am concerned because we hear speeches that resemble those of Hitler in 1934,” he said. “ 'Us first. We … We … ’ These are frightening thoughts.”